Paul McCartney calls on the UK government to protect artists from artificial intelligence

Legendary musician Paul McCartney warns against this Proposed changes to UK copyright law That would allow tech companies to freely train their models on online content unless copyright holders effectively opt out.

in Excerpts from an interview with the BBCMcCartney said the government needed to do more to protect musicians and other artists.

“We are the people and you are the government!” He said. “You’re supposed to protect us. That’s your job. So, if you’re passing a bill, make sure you protect the creative thinkers, the creative artists, or you won’t get them.”

McCartney isn’t necessarily opposed to using artificial intelligence to make music, and he even took advantage of the technology last year to clean up an old John Lennon demo and create what McCartney called it. “The Beatles’ last record.” However, he points out that AI (or at least AI that takes a loose approach to copyright) poses an economic threat to artists.

“Guys and girls come in, they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it, they don’t have anything to do with it, and anyone who wants to can steal it,” McCartney said.

He added that “the money is going somewhere,” and said that the financial rewards for creating a hit song should go to the artist, not just “some tech giants somewhere.”