Legendary musician Paul McCartney has voiced his opposition to proposed revisions in UK copyright law that could grant tech companies the freedom to train AI models on online content unless content creators actively opt out.
In a recent interview with the BBC, McCartney emphasized the need for stronger governmental support to safeguard musicians and artists from potential exploitation.
“We are the creators, and you’re the government! It’s your responsibility to protect us,” McCartney urged. “If you’re introducing new legislation, ensure that it prioritizes the interests of creative individuals; otherwise, their future is at risk.”
While McCartney does not outright reject the use of AI in music production—having utilized it himself to restore an old John Lennon demo and produce what he called “the last Beatles record”—he cautions that AI, particularly with lax copyright policies, presents a financial threat to artists.
“Young artists work hard to craft beautiful songs, yet they could end up without ownership or control over their work. Anyone could just take it without permission,” he warned.
McCartney further highlighted the economic implications of such changes, stressing that the financial benefits of creating music should remain with the artists rather than “some distant tech giant.”