A reset, not a retreat, on AI copyright
Once again, the UK has failed to find a definitive way forward on AI and copyright that meets the needs of a world-leading digital economy.
The government has effectively parked the discussion on text and data mining. It is instead seeking to reset the debate by focusing on more specific issues where the government hopes there is potential to make progress in the near term.
So, what happens next?
Government is bringing forward its previous work on transparency, labelling, technical tools and standards. These issues will join four core work streams on the areas of concern affecting creatives and rightsholders with regard to AI model inputs and outputs. These workstreams will combine this previous work while also incorporating new priorities.
- Digital replicas, including the use and creation of likenesses and how to prevent and mitigate potential harms. There will be a consultation launching in Summer 2026.
- Labelling AI-generated content, including how to make it easier for consumers to understand what has been created or augmented by AI and how to showcase best practices for industry, through a taskforce and an Autumn 2026 interim report.
- Technical tools, controls and transparency measures for creators, including how to ensure they can control where their work ends up online, through a review of gaps affecting AI input transparency.
- Protections for independent artists and creators, especially those who currently struggle with licensing and remuneration on their own.
These are all important issues, but it is yet to be seen if government will be more successful in finding agreement across such a broad range of stakeholders.
techUK's view
The challenge is that while the debate remains stalled in the UK, our international competitors have put in place mechanisms in the form of either ‘fair use’ provisions or TDM exemptions that are more enabling for AI innovation.
Failure to at least match these provisions will hold back both AI development and adoption in the UK. What is needed is a workable way forward that can support the needs of the whole UK economy. The path forward will need to include both the UK’s creative and technology sectors, as well as almost every other part of the economy that needs to harness the potential of AI to remain competitive in a fast-moving world.
The hope is that today’s reset moment provides an opportunity for all sides to come to the table to look at the practical steps we need to take to ensure that the UK can remain at the forefront of both AI innovation and AI deployment in the years ahead, while supporting our world-class creative sector.
Deputy CEO, Antony Walker, said in response to today’s update:
Today's announcement must be used as an opportunity to reset and find a way forward on an issue that matters enormously for the UK economy. As the Chancellor set out in her Mais lecture, AI will be a key driver of innovation, productivity and growth across every part of the UK economy. The UK has set its sights on leading the G7 in AI adoption, but that requires a clear and enabling framework for AI innovation - and getting AI and copyright right is central to that ambition. With international competitors moving ahead, the UK cannot afford for this to remain unresolved.
We remain committed to working with Government and stakeholders to find a workable path forward that supports human creativity and our world class creative sector while also ensuring the UK remains globally competitive in AI development and adoption.
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Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi is the Head of AI and Data at techUK.
She holds over seven years of Government Affairs and Tech Policy experience in the US and UK. Kir previously headed up the regulatory portfolio at a UK advocacy group for tech startups and held various public affairs in US tech policy. All involved policy research and campaigns on competition, artificial intelligence, access to data, and pro-innovation regulation.
Kir has an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BA in both Political Science (International Relations) and Economics from the University of California San Diego.
Outside of techUK, you are likely to find her attempting studies at art galleries, attempting an elusive headstand at yoga, mending and binding books, or chasing her dog Maya around South London's many parks.
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Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
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Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work. This includes work programmes on AI, Cloud, Data, Quantum, Semiconductors, Digital ID and Digital ethics as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List. She has also been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the tech agenda in the UK, in December 2025 Sue was appointed to the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce by the Technology Secretary of State. She also sits on the UK Government’s Smart Data Council, Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, Bank of England’s AI Consortium and BSI’s Digital Strategic Advisory Group. Previously, Sue was a member of the Independent Future of Compute Review and co-chaired the National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries in 2020, Sue has been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and has been a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI, the UK Tech 50 and annual UK Cloud Awards. She is a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015, Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. Before that, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
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Daniella Bennett Remington
Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi is the Head of AI and Data at techUK.