The Tony Blair Institute has called on the UK government to reconsider its approach to AI-related copyright regulation. It warned that stringent measures could disrupt cooperation with international partners and reduce competitiveness in emerging technology sectors.
In a report published on Wednesday, the institute stated that the UK’s current deliberations on AI and copyright law risk placing the country at odds with major technology economies, particularly the US. It argued that requiring licensing for the use of all UK-generated content in AI model training could result in firms relocating development to jurisdictions with more flexible frameworks.
Stricter enforcement could isolate UK from international AI systems
The thinktank warned that stricter copyright enforcement could limit the UK’s access to global AI systems and create a regulatory divergence with US platforms. “Without similar provisions in the US, it would be hard for the UK government to enforce strict copyright laws without straining the transatlantic relationship it has so far sought to nurture,” the report stated.
The Tony Blair Institute supported proposals that would permit AI developers to train models using copyright-protected material unless creators opt out. This model, which is under consideration by the UK government, mirrors more permissive regimes in markets such as the US, Japan, and Singapore. The report pointed out that without such a framework, the UK could fall behind in both economic and national security terms.
The report noted that if the UK introduces a requirement for licensing or restricts training data access, it would also need to block AI models that have been trained on non-compliant data. This could include models originating from the US, raising broader concerns over interoperability and international market access.
It further recommended that the government support a globally harmonised standard for AI usage preferences. These would go beyond current web protocols like robots.txt and allow content owners to indicate how and whether their work is used in AI training datasets. The report also suggested investment in open-source tools to track and manage content use across the web.
In addition, the institute proposed a multi-layered approach to transparency, involving disclosures from AI developers about training data sources, greater traceability of AI-generated content, and mechanisms for distinguishing between human and AI-created outputs.
To support transition within the creative sector, the report recommended establishing a Centre for AI and Creative Industries. This institution would facilitate partnerships between the technology and arts sectors and oversee compensation mechanisms aligned with international copyright frameworks.
Beeban Kidron, a member of the House of Lords, has criticised the report’s recommendations, reported The Guardian. “It cannot be that the sum total of the government’s imagination is that the UK become an AI hub for Silicon Valley,” said Kidron.
The Tony Blair Institute defended its independence in policy development despite receiving $270m in funding commitments from US tech billionaire Larry Ellison, “We maintain intellectual independence over our policy work,” said the Tony Blair Institute.
Read more: UK Technology Secretary defends AI copyright plans amid industry backlash
