New research commissioned by the Publishers Association reveals strong cross-party support among MPs for greater transparency and fair compensation from AI developers using copyrighted materials to train large language models (LLMs). The findings, based on a survey conducted by Savanta, follow the UK Government’s consultation on the creative and AI sectors, which closed in February. The consultation’s outcome will determine the legal framework governing AI developers' use of copyrighted works.
The survey shows that 92% of MPs believe AI developers should disclose the materials used to train their models to authors and publishers. Additionally, 86% support fair compensation to ensure that the creative efforts of rightsholders are properly valued and protected. Concerns about AI training practices extend further, with 85% agreeing that the use of copyrighted content without payment undermines authors’ intellectual property.
Transparency and compensation for past copyright infringements also emerged as key concerns. Recent court filings have indicated that AI companies have engaged in large-scale scraping of copyrighted materials, often without rightsholders’ knowledge or consent. With 79% of MPs supporting compensation for historical copyright violations, there is growing pressure on AI developers to address their impact on the publishing industry.
Support for transparency requirements varies across party lines, with 95% of Labour MPs backing disclosure compared to 82% of Conservative MPs. However, a minority of MPs expressed concerns about potential impacts on innovation. While 47% disagreed that transparency requirements could hinder technological advancements, 26% viewed them as a potential obstacle. Similarly, fewer than half of MPs (45%) believed that compensation requirements might increase AI development costs and slow progress.
Industry leaders emphasize that clear regulatory measures are essential to ensure a sustainable AI ecosystem that balances technological innovation with the rights of content creators. The Publishers Association and the Society of Authors continue to advocate for immediate government action to establish transparency mechanisms and safeguard the contributions of creative professionals.
The survey, conducted between 7th February and 13th March 2025, included responses from 107 MPs. The data was weighted to ensure representativeness, with Savanta adhering to British Polling Council standards.
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