Members of Parliament (MPs) have asserted that the UK Government must address concerns from the creative industries regarding the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on copyright.

This comes as the Data (Use and Access) Bill returned to the House of Commons after being amended in the House of Lords to enhance protections for creatives.

The amendments are aimed at preventing creative works from being used in AI training without proper authorization and compensation.

The proposed measures would ensure that AI companies are accountable under UK copyright law, irrespective of their location, and require the identification of web crawlers that currently operate without transparency.

They also seek to provide copyright holders with clearer insights into how their works are utilized.

MPs expressed strong support for these amendments, urging the Government to either uphold them or introduce alternative legislative measures.

A Government consultation regarding these issues is set to conclude on February 25, with officials hinting at a possible exemption in copyright law for 'text and data mining'.

Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant indicated that the Government intends to respond to the consultation promptly and to develop legislation reflecting the outcomes of that process.

Labour MP Chris Kane highlighted the necessity of copyright protections, framing them as essential for safeguarding an industry valued at approximately £125 billion annually, which employs over two million people in the UK. Kane emphasized that while innovation is vital, it should not come at the expense of creators' rights.

Alison Hume, another Labour MP and a writer on the BBC show New Tricks, reported incidents of her work being utilized without consent, including scripts being generated using materials taken from her episodes.

Hume remarked on the rising concern over the unauthorized use of original creative works by AI technologies.

Pete Wishart, an SNP MP and musician, reiterated the significance of the creative sector within the Government's growth strategy, cautioning against any legislative changes that could dilute copyright protections in favor of broader access for AI companies.

James Frith, a Labour MP and former member of the band Finka, acknowledged the Government's willingness to listen to creators’ concerns, stressing that discussions should aim to enhance the creative industry's framework rather than merely focus on its protection.

In concluding debates, Sir Chris emphasized the establishment of working groups involving stakeholders from both the creative and AI sectors to explore transparency and rights allocation.

He suggested that digital fingerprinting systems could help creators manage the use of their work, facilitating a more equitable remuneration process.

The overarching aim, as stated by Sir Chris, is to create a mutually beneficial arrangement for creatives and AI developers.

The Data (Use and Access) Bill encompasses a wide range of data topics, from personal information on births, marriages, and deaths to healthcare data, criminal records, and driving licenses, highlighting the broad implications of data management in contemporary society.