# Artists concerned by planned change to AI laws

## 5 March 2025
**Emma Ruminski, BBC South West arts reporter**


*BBC: Author and illustrator Sarah McIntyre creates original work in her studio in Bovey Tracey*

Artists in Devon say they are concerned government proposals to change copyright law could make it easier for Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies to use their work for free.

The government has proposed law changes which would allow AI developers to be able to use creators' content on the internet to help develop their models, unless the rights holders elected to "opt out".

The Devon Artist Network said it was "very worried" about the proposals and Devon illustrator Sarah McIntyre said it would be "disastrous" for her.

A consultation on the plans by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has closed and a spokesperson said no decisions had been taken yet.

## Destroying careers

Ms McIntyre, from Bovey Tracey, said she would be impacted if the change was to happen.

She said: "We've always owned our work, that's just a part of British law.

"I made this, it's mine and I can earn money from it and if someone else copies it then that's against the law.

"But now they are saying everything we've ever created, all our artwork, we have to go back and opt out of it being used to train AI."

Ms McIntyre has written to Mel Stride, Conservative MP for Central Devon, and asked for help.

Stride said although AI presented "significant opportunities for innovation and economic growth" the government was "putting the creative industries at risk".

"Labour must press pause on its rushed consultation and rethink its approach to harness the benefits of AI without compromising the success of our creative industries," he said.

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