Don't let tech giants steal copyrighted content to train their artificial intelligence chatbots, say Lords

Artificial intelligence firms must not be allowed to continue stealing copyrighted material to train their chatbots, a House of Lords report has warned.

Peers highlighted their ‘deep concerns’ over tech companies hoovering up content from books and news websites on ‘an absolutely massive scale’.

The House of Lords communications and digital committee said ministers had ‘a duty’ to stop tech giants taking control of the multibillion-pound AI industry, warning urgent safeguards were needed.

The emergence of ChatGPT has driven demand for the technology, with millions now using the tools every day, from writing school essays to drafting legal opinions.

The House of Lords communications and digital committee said ministers had ‘a duty’ to stop tech giants taking control of the multibillion-pound AI industry

The emergence of ChatGPT has driven demand for the technology, with millions now using the tools every day, from writing school essays to drafting legal opinions

News publishers warned AI tools could make it impossible to produce independent journalism.

Open AI – the firm behind ChatGPT – Meta and Microsoft all suggested it was near impossible not to infringe copyright, claiming limiting access would lead to worse AI models.

The report said the Government ‘cannot sit on its hands for the next decade and hope the courts will provide an answer’.

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