AI and the creative industries: collaboration or conflict?
Friday, 14 February 2025 – On Valentine’s Day, in what could be seen as an act of love for the creative sector, industry leaders came together for the UKAI roundtable on AI and copyright. Hosted by Adobe and chaired by Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, musician and former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the discussion brought together key voices from AI, policy, and the creative industries to explore the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of artificial intelligence and copyright law.
The debate—passionately argued throughout—was clear: how can AI and creativity coexist in a way that respects intellectual property, supports innovation, and ensures fairness for all?
The key discussions
Opt-in vs. Opt-out for AI training data
The biggest point of contention was whether AI companies should have to seek permission (opt-in) to use copyrighted content for training or whether content should be available by default unless creators actively opt out.
The creative industries overwhelmingly support an opt-in approach, ensuring that rights holders have control over their work. AI companies, on the other hand, argue that an opt-out model is necessary for efficiency and competitiveness.
Transparency is crucial
Many creatives expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding which works have already been scraped and used to train AI models.
There was strong support for AI companies disclosing their training data sources, allowing creators to understand how their work is being used.
Licensing as the way forward
One of the most promising solutions discussed was the development of proper licensing frameworks.
The music industry has long had licensing models in place, so why not extend similar protections to all creative fields?
Several AI companies present at the roundtable showcased tools that could help manage rights and compensation more effectively.
The role of government and regulation
There was debate over how much government intervention is needed. Some argued that stronger regulation is essential to protect creatives, while others warned that overregulation could push AI companies to other jurisdictions.
Why this matters for the entire creative industry
Did you see this 100% AI-generated video of Dave Chappelle?
As the Founder of Craic, the leader in comedy industry technologies, I attended this roundtable to give comedy both a seat at the table and a voice in the debate—an industry often overlooked in policy discussions because it is not designated as a standalone artform in the UK. This lack of recognition means comedy frequently misses out on vital systemic support, despite being a cornerstone of the creative industries.
Emerging tech is advancing and it is not just musicians and visual artists who are affected—comedians, writers, performers, producers, venues, designers, technicians, and many more—must also be part of the conversation. AI-generated content is already being tested in stand-up, scriptwriting, and performance, raising ethical and legal questions about authorship, ownership, and fair compensation. The potential impact on comedy is profound, and it is crucial that our industry is not left behind in the AI policy debate.
The comedy industry is a vital part of the creative ecosystem, and our position is clear: AI should be a tool that empowers, not exploits, creatives. Fair licensing, transparency, and recognition of creative labour must be at the heart of AI policy.
A step in the right direction
Despite differing views, one thing was evident—everyone in the room was passionate and invested in finding solutions. The conversation isn’t over, but this roundtable was an important step in ensuring that AI and the creative industries can work together rather than in opposition.
Thank you to UKAI, the speakers, and my brilliant peers who contributed to this vital discussion. The future of creativity depends on the choices we make now.
What do you think?
Should AI companies need explicit permission to use copyrighted work, or should it be open by default? Let’s keep this conversation going.
Want to learn more?
Read UKAI’s roundtable report: “Conflict or Co-operation: Shining a Light on Solutions”
