Photo via Elton John’s Facebook Page
Sir Elton John has condemned the UK government’s approach to copyright reform in the age of artificial intelligence, calling it not only misguided but a moral transgression.
Speaking on BBC One‘s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the legendary artist did not mince words, accusing ministers of being “absolute losers” for considering a legal framework that could allow tech firms to use copyrighted material without explicit consent. For John, such a move is more than a policy failure – it is, in his words, “a criminal offense.”
The singer’s anger is not simply personal; it speaks to a deeper anxiety among artists who feel the ground shifting beneath them. “The government is on the verge of robbing young people of their legacy and their income,” John warned, painting a picture of a creative future hollowed out by corporate overreach and technological convenience.
In a sharp rebuke of Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, whom he described as “a bit of a moron,” John pledged legal action should the government fail to reverse course. The remark comes amid scrutiny over Kyle’s proximity to major tech players. Since the Labour Party’s election victory last July, meetings between Kyle’s department and corporations like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Meta have surged, prompting accusations of undue influence.
This controversy arises in the shadow of a legislative tug-of-war. The House of Lords recently backed a proposal by crossbench peer Beeban Kidron requiring AI companies to disclose when they use copyright-protected work – an attempt to restore balance between technological progress and creative rights. But that amendment was later stripped in the Commons, revealing a political process mired in self-cancellation and short-term maneuvering.
“I feel deeply betrayed,” John lamented. “The vote passed two to one in our favour, and the government simply brushed it off. It’s as if they’re saying: ‘The older artists can afford the loss.’ But this isn’t about money—it’s about the principle of honouring the work of creators.”
The government is currently consulting on multiple options. One would allow AI firms to scrape copyrighted material unless creators explicitly opt out. Others include maintaining the current legal landscape, introducing mandatory licensing, or, most alarmingly, permitting unrestricted use without any recourse for the original artists. A spokesperson insisted that no changes would be implemented without a full understanding of their impact, affirming that an economic assessment is underway. Yet for many in the creative community, that promise rings hollow.
As John’s comments reveal, this is not merely a matter of policy, but a reckoning with what we value in a world increasingly shaped by automation, with tension mounting as innovation and integrity begin to butt heads.
