UK Unions Demand Stronger Protections for Creative Workers as AI Advances

Unions are calling for urgent action to safeguard workers in the creative industries amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that without proper regulation, tech companies could exploit artists, writers, and performers.

Call for Stronger Regulations

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged the government to strengthen its AI and copyright proposals, which are currently under consultation. It argues that creative professionals—ranging from journalists and teachers to actors and writers—need better protections as AI continues to evolve.

The TUC’s recommendations include:

• Transparency in AI training data, ensuring workers know if their content or likeness is being used.
• An opt-in system that prevents creative work from being commercially exploited unless explicit consent is given.
• Fair compensation for creators whose work is used to train AI models.
• The establishment of an independent regulator to oversee AI’s integration into the workforce.

Protecting Creativity from Exploitation

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak warned that without adequate safeguards, AI could be used to exploit creative workers while tech companies reap the financial benefits.

“AI has huge transformative potential, but UK law is failing to keep pace with the rapid speed of technological change,” Nowak said. “Writers, actors, performers, teachers, and journalists must have control over how their work and image are used—and they must be paid fairly.”

He called for a taskforce to bring together unions, government officials, and technology experts to manage the risks and maximize AI’s benefits.

Paul Fleming, General Secretary of the Equity union, echoed these concerns, describing the unauthorized use of creative work as “industrial-scale theft” by major tech companies. He criticized the government’s current proposals, saying they undermine both workers and businesses in the creative industry.

Writers’ Rights at Risk

Emma Reeves, chair of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, highlighted how AI is already being trained on stolen content, violating centuries-old copyright protections.

“Without stronger protections, big tech will be free to take what they like, when they like, without any obligation to share profits with creators,” she warned.

She suggested that a voluntary licensing model—where writers and other creatives can choose to license their work for AI training—could provide a fairer solution.

Government Response

Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, acknowledged the challenges posed by AI but reassured creative workers that their rights would not be ignored.

“Securing Britain’s future as an AI leader must go hand in hand with safeguarding the rights and rewards of creative workers,” he stated. He confirmed that the government is reviewing thousands of responses to its AI and copyright consultation, adding, “No changes will be made unless I am completely satisfied that we are delivering a solution that works for creators.”

With AI rapidly reshaping industries, unions are pushing for immediate and robust protections to prevent the creative sector from being exploited in the technological revolution.