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The UK’s Data (Use and Access) Bill, which became a lightning rod for a growing battle between artists and AI developers, has finally cleared Parliament—despite high-profile opposition from stars like Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Sir Paul McCartney.
At the heart of the controversy was a proposed amendment from the House of Lords that would have forced tech companies to disclose the use of copyrighted material when training artificial intelligence tools. Peers argued this was crucial to protect the UK’s £124bn creative industry from being exploited by AI systems capable of mimicking human artistry without consent or compensation.
Sir Elton John did not mince words, calling the unchecked use of copyrighted content “theft, thievery on a high scale.” Alongside other cultural heavyweights, he backed the Lords’ attempt to insert stronger copyright protections into the bill.
But the government held its ground, refusing the amendment and stating it would instead conduct a separate consultation on copyright and AI. It also pointed to upcoming legislation specifically focused on AI regulation.
This stance led to a parliamentary standoff, with the bill ping-ponging between the Commons and Lords for weeks. Ultimately, the Lords relented, allowing the bill to pass without the amendment. It now awaits royal assent to become law.
“We can only do so much here. I believe we’ve done it,” said composer and broadcaster Lord Berkeley. “It’s up to the government and the other place now to listen.”
While the AI dispute dominated headlines, the bill contains several other measures. These include improved access to deceased children’s data for bereaved parents, streamlined NHS data sharing, and a 3D underground map of pipes and cables to reduce roadwork disruptions.
A spokesperson from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) emphasized the broader impact: “This Bill is about using data to grow the economy and improve people’s lives.”
Still, the conflict over AI is far from over. Baroness Kidron, who led the fight for the amendment, called the outcome “a pyrrhic victory,” warning that the UK was giving away its creative assets to foreign tech giants.
Owen Meredith of the News Media Association echoed that sentiment, saying Parliament had sent a “clear message” that it would continue to fight for copyright protections.
Baroness Dido Harding put it bluntly: “We will prevail in the end.”
