The “Copyright & AI: What’s at Stake?” webinar explored the evolving challenges surrounding copyright law, artificial intelligence and the creative industries in the UK.

Experts Thangam Debbonaire and Sir Robert Buckland KBE, KC discussed the immense economic and cultural importance of the UK’s creative sector, which contributes £125 billion to the economy and enhances the country’s global influence. However, a significant portion of the industry consists of self-employed creators and small businesses who lack the legal and financial resources to challenge global tech giants. The discussion emphasised that copyright law has long served as a fundamental tool to protect these creators, ensuring they are compensated when their work is used by others.

A key focus of the webinar was whether current copyright law is equipped to handle AI and big tech developments. Traditionally, UK copyright law has operated on an “opt-in” model, meaning that copyrighted content cannot be used without explicit permission. However, proposed government changes would shift this to an “opt-out” system, raising concerns about whether this disadvantages UK creators.

Questions were also raised about enforcement, how can copyright law be meaningful if violations occur undetected There was also debate about whether aligning with the EU AI Act could strengthen protections, as the EU is expected to take a firmer stance on AI companies using copyrighted materials without authorisation.

The discussion also addressed broader legal and policy considerations, including whether copyright law should be the primary tool for regulating big tech or whether other legal frameworks might be more effective. Comparisons were drawn to international approaches, with uncertainty around how the US will regulate AI and copyright, while the EU appears to be moving toward stricter enforcement. The UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan suggested alignment with the EU on copyright, but concerns remain about whether this would bias the outcome of ongoing policy consultations.