Kate Bush is calling on British authorities to protect artists from the uncontrolled use of artificial intelligence (AI), which uses their works to train music production algorithms. The famous singer stressed that her works are protected by copyright and expressed concern about the lack of clear boundaries on the use of AI in culture.
Along with celebrities such as Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, Rosario Dawson and Stephen Fry, Bush has signed a petition against the unauthorized use of artwork for AI training. She argues that the practice constitutes an “unwarranted threat” to creators and calls for it to be banned.
Her intervention comes shortly after Sir Paul McCartney joined a campaign against massive copyright infringement by AI companies. McCartney warned of the economic consequences of the technology, calling for stricter regulation.
The AI industry is pushing for a “more open” market, where companies can use protected data in exchange for a fee. However, creators are opposed, calling the proposed framework overly complex and unfair. ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, along with other artists such as Thom Yorke and Stephen Fry, are calling on governments to protect the artistic community, saying AI could cause artists’ incomes to drop by up to 20% by 2028.
Legal battles have already begun, with companies Suno and Udio accused of using copyrighted music to create new tracks without permission. Ulvaeus described these practices as “a transfer of value from creators to AI companies.”
Despite the concerns, Ulvaeus acknowledges that AI can be a tool for creativity. Reflecting on the 70s, he said that AI could have helped ABBA experiment with new styles and ideas.
According to a recent CISAC study, artificial intelligence could reduce creators' revenues by 27% by 2028, resulting in losses of €2,7 billion. At the same time, AI companies' profits are expected to skyrocket, reaching €9 billion.
Creators are calling for greater transparency and stricter regulations, with 95% demanding that governments prioritize securing copyright. Cecile Rapp-Weber of Sacem and Tobias Holzmüller of GEMA support the need for technical solutions to identify and protect works from uncontrolled use by AI.
