SITC Chair writes to Google and OpenAI on issue of AI and copyright

Chi Onwurah, chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, has written to Google and OpenAI requesting information on their response to the government's consultation on AI and copyright.  

In February, the committee held a joint session with the Culture, Media and Sport Committee to examine the proposals set out in the government's consultation. 

Following the session, the two committee chairs wrote a joint letter to the Secretaries of State for Science, Innovation and Technology; and Culture, Media and Sport, setting out their shared view on the consultation and how to deliver a transparent rights environment.  

Google and OpenAI declined to send representatives to this February session, on the grounds that the government's consultation was still live at that time.  

Now, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee chair is writing to both companies to ask for details on their responses to the consultation, in order to clarify their position on this issue.  

The letters ask for responses from both companies by Wednesday 2 April.  

Chair of Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Chi Onwurah MP, commented:  

“The UK is home to both a fast-growing AI sector capable of driving economic growth, and to world-leading creative industries and artists who are rightly anxious about preserving their intellectual property rights. The government's AI and Copyright consultation is a crucial next step in finding a fair balance between the interests of AI developers and rights holders.

“The Government's preferred option is dependent on suitable technological solutions being developed at speed.  Google and OpenAI are leaders in AI and it's critical to understand if they believe they can meet the Government's ambitions.”