Artificial
Intelligence: Creative Sector
(Cumbernauld, Kilsyth
and Kirkintilloch East) (SNP)
1. What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of
AI on the creative sector.(900120)
(Leeds North West)
(Lab/Co-op)
4. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of AI on
under-represented groups in the creative industries.(900124)
The Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries (Sir
)
I will endeavour to be succinct. AI offers huge benefits and
opportunities to the creative sector, but it also brings
challenges. The Government have engaged extensively with the
creative industries and others about it and will continue to do
so.
I thank the Minister for his succinct response, but, as he knows,
the Select Committee has called for the Government to abandon the
proposed copyright exemptions for text and data mining, which the
chief executive officer of UK Music succinctly described as a
“green light to music laundering”.
Can the Minister confirm that the Government will not undermine
artists and musicians by
exempting AI data mining from copyright restrictions?
Sir
As the hon. Gentleman is probably aware, there are ongoing
discussions between creative rights owners and the platforms and
others through the Intellectual Property Office, but it has made
clear that, unless permitted under licence or on exception,
making copies under text and data mining will constitute
copyright infringement.
Does the Minister agree that the nature of AI systems is such
that, when they are trained on creative works, both conscious and
unconscious biases in music, films and art against certain groups
in our society will be reinforced in generative outputs? The
Government are seeking a code of conduct on copyright and AI;
will they use this opportunity to address that issue and ensure
that AI companies take responsibility for protecting against that
type of harm? Is he considering an AI Bill, even though it was
not announced in the King’s Speech?
Sir
There is a great deal of work going on around AI to develop a
framework of regulation, as was originally set out in the White
Paper. The hon. Gentleman’s point about algorithmic bias is a
serious one; it is being studied by the Centre for Data Ethics
and Innovation, and obviously we will look very carefully at
that.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(Bristol West) (Lab)
People working in the creative industries have been completely
let down by the Tories, including on real concerns about the
impact of AI. The Government have not responded to the
consultation on their own AI White Paper or the report on AI and
the creative industries. They have not got to grips with the
issue at all. Creative people need to know whether they will be
properly rewarded for their incredible talents, now and in the
future. When will the Government set out a proper plan to protect
creators?
Sir
The hon. Lady is new to her role and so may have missed the
creative sector vision, which was published about six months ago
and set out an investment totalling some £50 billion going into
the creative industries over the next five years. A great deal of
work is taking place on the impact of AI on creative industries,
and we are hoping to say more about that before the end of the
year.
That is just not good enough. Thanks to the resilience and hard
work of those in the creative industries, they are growing faster
than many others, but it is people who make the best joy and the
best culture, not AI. We are all better off when we draw on
everyone’s talents. That is how we grow the creative
industries—with people from more diverse backgrounds in more
jobs. Tackling AI is a fundamental part of that. To pick an
example for the Minister, talent in the north represents just 15%
of employment in the creative industries under the Tories, so
what are the Government doing to protect and increase that in the
age of AI?
Sir
With the Secretary of State, I was able to spend Monday in
Manchester for the creative industries conference, where we met
representatives from right across the sectors, including those
from the AI sector. AI is already benefiting the creative
industries to a considerable amount and represents real
opportunities for them.
EU Exit: Creative
Industries in Scotland
(Paisley and Renfrewshire
North) (SNP)
11. Whether she has had recent discussions with representatives
of the creative industries in Scotland on the impact of the UK’s
exit from the EU on those industries. (900134)
The Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries (Sir
)
I and my officials regularly meet representatives of the creative
industries in Scotland, and we were pleased to be joined by
representatives from Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government
and the Creative Industries Council earlier this week. We will
continue to work closely with colleagues in Scotland to ensure
that the UK’s creative industries remain world leading following
the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Notwithstanding the Minister’s answer, polling by the Independent
Society of musicians has
shown that almost half of musicians in
the music industry have had less work in the EU post Brexit, and
40% have had to cancel work in the EU due to the increased cost
of travelling and working in the EU. How can the Minister
continue to pretend that Brexit has not harmed musicians
when the costs are so enormous and have been explained to this
Government many, many times?
Sir
We are continuing to work to make it easier for musicians from
this country to tour in Europe, and we have managed to establish
arrangements with 24 out of 27 member states that now allow visa
and work permit-free routes for UK performers for short-term
touring. We continue to engage in discussions with countries
individually to make further improvements.
