“This status quo cannot continue.” With these words, the UK government has made it clear that changes to the AI regulatory regime are on the horizon. The recently published consultation on AI and copyright underscores how current uncertainties in the law “risk[] limiting investment, innovation, and growth.” The government aims to encourage AI development on UK soil by tackling these hurdles. Although no final decisions have been made, the strength of the language in the consultation indicates a firm resolve to clarify the training of AI systems in a way that encourages “world-leading AI models” to be built in the UK.

Part of this consultation is a proposal that would establish a text and data mining (TDM) exception while allowing right holders to opt out if they “reserve their rights.” This “Option 3” seeks to accommodate “wide and lawful access to high-quality data” so that developers can build and refine their AI models with minimal friction. At the same time, it preserves creators’ control over whether—and how—their works can be used for training. Policymakers suggest that any narrower approach could make the UK less competitive, while any broader exemption might neglect the interests of right holders. Hence, the consultation highlights a balanced approach: “deliver[ing] a solution that achieves [] key objectives for the AI sector and creative industries.”

In highlighting this balance, the government acknowledges that practical and technical solutions are necessary if both AI developers and content creators are to cooperate. For instance, the consultation stresses the need for “effective and accessible machine-readable formats,” pointing to possible tools like granular robots.txt protocols, updated metadata frameworks, and “Do Not Train” registries. These measures would help ensure that right holders’ reservations are honored without impeding lawful TDM. If successfully implemented, the UK’s framework could serve as a template for other countries seeking to harmonize innovation objectives with copyright protection.

The consultation references ongoing global conversations, noting the government’s intention to “work closely with our international partners to progress towards an interoperable AI and copyright framework.” Should these proposals materialize, the UK would stand at the forefront of AI regulation, demonstrating how a pro-innovation stance can coexist with strong creator safeguards. While outcomes will depend on stakeholder feedback and future legislative steps, the government’s bold messaging indicates a genuine drive to transform the copyright regime. The outcome of these discussions may have far-reaching implications, influencing the UK’s AI sector and the future of its creative economy.