More than 30 leaders from the UK performing arts sector have expressed significant concerns regarding government proposals that would allow artificial intelligence (AI) companies to utilize artists’ work without securing permission.

The group includes heads of prestigious institutions such as the National Theatre, Opera North, and the Royal Albert Hall, and emphasizes the fragile nature of the creative ecosystem reliant on copyright for livelihood and sustainability.

In an official statement, the performing arts leaders underscored their dependence on a delicate network of freelancers, many of whom rely on copyright protections as a means to support their artistic endeavors.

They urged the government to uphold the ‘moral and economic rights’ of professionals across various creative disciplines, including music, dance, drama, and opera.

Among the signatories are prominent figures such as the chief executives of Sadler’s Wells dance theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Leeds Playhouse.

Their collective statement voiced apprehension about the implications of diminishing creative copyright by providing exemptions to AI companies, arguing that the community of skilled creatives stands to lose significant protection for their work.

The leaders emphasized their support for technological innovation and acknowledged their roles as contributors to the creative landscape.

However, they conveyed that the government's approach risks compromising their engagement in the evolution and application of AI technologies within the creative sector.

They called on ministers to establish an automatic right for creative professionals regarding their work rather than adopting a system where copyright holders must opt out for their material to be protected.

Critics have labeled the opt-out proposal as both unfair and impractical, raising further alarm within the creative community.

The performing arts leaders also advocated for transparency requirements for AI companies, requesting clarity on the copyrighted material integrated into AI training models and the methods of acquisition.

The government has indicated that it plans to include transparency measures in its ongoing copyright consultations.

The statement highlighted the intrinsic value of world-class performances, stating, ‘The sheer wonderment of world-class music, drama, dance, and opera is essential to the joy of being human.’ The leaders called for governmental support to enhance the human creative endeavor that is central to the performing arts.

These proposals have sparked widespread criticism from influential figures in the UK’s creative industries, including notable personalities such as Sir Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, and Richard Osman.

The generative AI models that underpin many contemporary digital tools, such as the ChatGPT chatbot, are developed using extensive datasets typically sourced from the open web, which encompasses a wide range of materials from Wikipedia entries to diverse media archives.

In response, a government spokesperson stated that the existing framework governing the relationship between AI and copyright is inhibiting growth within the creative industries and the media sector.

They asserted that this situation could not persist, emphasizing a need for a new approach that intends to safeguard both AI developers and rights holders, facilitating an environment in which both can prosper.