Rock legend Elton John is leading the charge against the UK government's proposed changes to AI copyright laws, branding them “criminal” and accusing officials of “committing theft” from creators.

In a BBC interview, John voiced his exasperation, warning the new law would leave young artists especially vulnerable, as they lack the resources to challenge powerful tech companies.

“It’s criminal and I feel incredibly betrayed!”

Artists Rally Against AI Copyright Loophole

The controversy centers on a government proposal that would allow AI developers to freely train their models on any creative work they have lawful access to-without compensating the original artists.

John argued that if the government moves forward, it would amount to “thievery on a high scale,” stripping artists of control and income from their work.

Concerns around artist permission and compensation guarantees have brought Elton John to join forces with over 400 artists, writers, and industry leaders-including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ed Sheeran, and Dua Lipa-in signing an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The letter, backed by organizations like the National Union of Journalists, Getty Images, and Sony Music Publishing, calls for urgent amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill.

The signatories demand greater transparency about which copyrighted works are used to train AI models and insist that artists’ permission and compensation must be guaranteed.

Government Pushes AI Growth Despite Backlash

The Data Bill is part of the UK’s broader “AI Opportunities Action Plan,” which aims to supercharge the nation’s AI sector through infrastructure investment, public service integration, and nurturing local AI talent.

However, the legislative process has been contentious. Last week, the House of Commons rejected amendments from the House of Lords that would have required AI companies to obtain explicit permission before using copyrighted materials for training.

This decision has fueled further criticism from the creative community, who argue that the government is prioritizing tech sector growth over the rights and livelihoods of artists.