UK Musicians Sound Alarm as AI Threatens Creative Careers
A stark new report has revealed that nearly three-quarters of musicians in the United Kingdom believe that unregulated generative artificial intelligence poses a direct threat to their ability to earn a living. The comprehensive study, which calls for immediate government intervention, paints a concerning picture of a sector on the brink of a profound crisis.
A Looming Creative Jobs Crisis
The research, titled Brave New World?, indicates that one in three jobs across the creative industries is now considered at risk due to the rapid advancement of GenAI. This form of artificial intelligence, capable of producing original content such as music, text, and images, is often trained using the existing media and intellectual property of creatives without their consent or compensation.
The report argues forcefully that this dynamic is creating a "creative jobs crisis", where human employment is being displaced by AI systems that simultaneously rely on the very work of those they replace. The impact is already being felt acutely: nearly a third of illustrators report losing commissions or having projects cancelled because of AI, while 58 per cent of photographers state they have been negatively affected. Authors are experiencing similar disruptions, with more than half witnessing their work opportunities diminish.
Widespread Unauthorised Use of Creative Work
An overwhelming 99 per cent of creatives surveyed confirmed that their work has been "scraped" without their consent to train AI models. This practice involves the unauthorised lifting of creative output for use in developing new AI systems, leaving artists without permission, control, or rightful payment for their intellectual property.
The publication of this report follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's stated ambition for the UK to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. Notably, a government consultation on AI and copyright in 2025 found that 95 per cent of respondents supported licensing as the appropriate method to protect creative works. The report's authors warn that without robust copyright protection, creators risk losing their intellectual property rights entirely, receiving no financial return for their labour.
Calls for a New Regulatory Framework
The study urgently calls on the government to alter what it describes as a "contentious" approach to AI regulation, insisting that technology firms must not be permitted to mine creative works for free. It cautions that failure to act could result in the UK "standing on the brink of losing an entire sector".
To address this, the report proposes a new "CLEAR" framework for artificial intelligence, which stands for: Content first; Licensing, not scraping; Ethical use of training data; Accountability; Remuneration and rights. This framework aims to establish transparent rules that respect and protect human creativity as technological capabilities continue to evolve.
Voices from the Creative Community
In the report's foreword, filmmaker Baroness Beeban Kidron stated: "This report calls for justice — and that framing is crucial. There is no special pleading here, nor any blindness to the opportunities inherent in AI. What is being taken, in plain sight, is the private property of UK citizens, protected by UK law. It is not the government’s to give away. To do so is an injustice."
She added that the findings represent not only a policy failure but a call to action, urging creators to organise, speak out, and demand justice from government and media.
The report was published in partnership with major creative bodies, including the Independent Society of Musicians, the Society of Authors, arts union Equity, the Association of Illustrators, and the Association of Photographers.
Rachel Hill, CEO of the Association of Illustrators, emphasised: "The UK’s creative industries are one of our greatest strengths, powered by the skill and labour of creators. This report shows how unregulated generative AI is already harming that success... If the government is serious about supporting the creative industries, it must act now to protect creators’ rights."
Government Response
In response to the report's findings, a government spokesperson said: "Our work on copyright and AI has always been focused on protecting human creativity while ensuring UK citizens can reap AI’s transformational benefits. That's why we are continuing to engage with creatives to find a solution which will allow them to thrive."
