Sir Elton John, the legendary British singer, fiercely criticized the UK government, calling them “absolute losers” for their plans to relax copyright laws for artificial intelligence (AI) companies. Speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on May 18, 2025, he expressed feeling “incredibly betrayed” by the move, which he believes harms artists.
John accused the government of “committing theft” by allowing tech firms to train AI models on creative works like music without proper payment to the artists. He warned that this could rob young artists of their income and legacy, as they lack the means to fight big tech companies.
Key Issue: AI and Copyright Laws
The UK, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aims to become an AI superpower. The proposed law would let AI developers use any material they legally access for training, unless the creators actively opt out. This has sparked outrage among artists like John, Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran, and others who signed a letter urging a policy rethink.
John stressed that machines lack human soul and passion. He fears young artists will suffer the most, unable to monitor or challenge tech giants using their work.
Government’s Response and Debate
The UK government insisted it wouldn’t finalize any changes unless they benefit creators. They rejected a House of Lords amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill that would have forced AI firms to disclose training data and get permission from copyright holders.
John didn’t hold back, suggesting legal action if the government doesn’t reconsider. He even called Tech Secretary Peter Kyle a “bit of a moron” and urged Starmer to “wise up”.
Why Artists Care?
Britain’s creative industries, from music to film, employ thousands. Critics like John and UK Music’s Tom Kiehl warn that favoring tech giants over artists could damage this vital sector. They fear a future where AI bots exploit human creativity without a fair reward.