Response to Copyright and Artificial Intelligence consultation by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

Executive summary

1. The current situation has undeniable parallels to the copyright policy debates around digital media platforms in the 2010s. Where digital media technologies reduce the cost of copying content, AI technologies reduce the cost of creating content. These reduced costs will largely benefit technology firms.

2. In the 2010s, new technology firms replaced more traditional retail outlets and created a more concentrated market, upending long-established value chains and leading to rightsholders’ bargaining power dropping. This scenario is likely to repeat, with the AI technology firms enjoying significant growth and digital media losing market share to the competition these firms pose.

3. While option 3 is a considered response, it will not overcome the market forces that will dictate future licensing structures.

4. Attempts at requiring transparency of the contents of training data may be blocked by claims of trade secrets. The government will need to take a strong stance to ensure transparency.