Sir Paul McCartney has voiced his concerns over proposed changes to UK copyright law, warning they could allow artificial intelligence (AI) to exploit creators' work and threaten the livelihoods

of musicians and artists. The government is considering reforms that would let AI developers use online content to train their models unless creators explicitly opt out.

In a rare interview with Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the Beatles legend said these changes risk undermining the motivation for artistic creation. Reflecting on his beginnings, he said, “When we were kids in Liverpool, we found a job that we loved, but it also paid the bills.” He cautioned that the proposed laws could discourage young creators and lead to a “loss of creativity.”

The government claims its goal is to provide creators with "real control" and transparency through a robust copyright system. However, Sir Paul argued the reforms could foster a "Wild West" where artists’ copyrights are unprotected.

“Young guys and girls might write a beautiful song, but they wouldn’t own it. Anyone could just rip it off,” he said. “The money’s going somewhere—so why shouldn’t it go to the person who wrote Yesterday?”

He urged the government to reconsider, stating, “We’re the people, you’re the government. Your job is to protect us. Protect creative artists, or you won’t have them.”

Mixed views on AI

Sir Paul acknowledged that AI has its benefits, citing his use of the technology to revive John Lennon’s vocals for the Beatles’ final song, Now and Then. The track, created from a demo left by Lennon, has been widely acclaimed, earning Grammy and Brit Award nominations. “AI can do great things,” McCartney said. “It helped us clean John’s voice so it sounded newly recorded. But it shouldn’t rip creative people off—that makes no sense.”

Concerns over copyright reform

Under the proposed changes, AI companies could use copyrighted material available online for text or data mining without explicit consent from creators. While creators could opt out, critics argue this is unworkable. Artists would need to inform countless AI firms and monitor how their work is used—a nearly impossible task.

An alternative “opt-in” system, requiring creators to give explicit permission for their work’s use, is set to be debated in the House of Lords by Baroness Kidron.

Tom Kiehl, CEO of UK Music, expressed grave concerns, saying, “Government plans to allow AI firms to use artists’ work without permission put the music industry at huge risk. It’s a gamble against a creative sector that already contributes over £120bn to the economy.”

The government has acknowledged the issue, stating, “The UK’s music industry is truly world-class, producing some of the most celebrated artists in history. We’re consulting to ensure the copyright framework protects artists while allowing AI innovation.”

Paul’s final appeal

At 82, Sir Paul recently concluded his Got Back tour, captivating audiences across Europe and South America. Despite his appreciation for AI’s potential, his message was clear: the government must safeguard the rights of creators to ensure that art—and the people behind it—can continue to thrive. Photo by Raph_PH, Wikimedia commons.