Consultation response to UK Government: Copyright and AI

5Rights has submitted a consultation response to the UK Government’s proposed changes to copyright law. Despite children being early digital pioneers and more vulnerable to risks, the UK Government’s plans for AI continue to forego their rights and well-being.

As remarked in our response, to ensure that children’s intellectual property is protected and that their rights are upheld, the Government must:

• Bring forward a broader strategy for the protection of children from the risks posed by AI by introducing robust legislation and regulations that allow children to use these systems safely, confidently and independently;
• Consider the impact of children’s intellectual property separately from the intellectual property of adults, recognising that children have a right to be protected from commercial misuse – particularly in a school environment;
• Undertake a thorough child’s rights impact assessment to understand how the policy will align with the UK’s international children’s rights obligations; and
• Ensure that any mechanism used to seek children’s consent is age-appropriate and developed alongside children, their parents and teachers – taking into account their views and opinions.

While we welcome this consultation, the issue of intellectual property (IP) and AI is only one part of the wider consideration that must be given to how these technologies will impact us all. The Government must set out a broader strategy and bring forward regulations to ensure that children are kept safe, their rights are respected, and they can enjoy and embrace all the opportunities AI technologies can bring to their lives.