In a letter addressed to The Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Baroness Stowell of Beeston, chair of the committee on generative AI and large language models (LLMs), has criticised the government’s response to their report, highlighting significant concerns regarding copyright laws and the strategic approach towards AI.

Baroness Stowell commended the government for its progress in addressing the challenges posed by generative AI and LLMs but raised serious reservations about the government’s stance on copyright issues. 

“We appreciate the technical and political complexities of the challenge. But we are not persuaded the Government is investing enough creativity, resources and senior political heft to address the problem,” read the letter. 

Despite acknowledging the importance of copyright, the government’s response fell short of providing a clear stance on applying copyright laws to LLMs, leaving legal uncertainties unresolved.

Furthermore, the letter criticised the government’s reluctance to take decisive action on copyright, suggesting that its avoidance of the issue amounted to an endorsement of tech firms’ practices. 

This stance, according to Baroness Stowell, undermines the government’s commitment to British businesses and the equal application of the law.

In addition to copyright concerns, the letter addressed the government’s strategic focus on AI safety, cautioning against an overly high-stakes approach that could neglect other crucial aspects of AI development. While acknowledging the government’s initiatives to support AI start-ups and expand computing capabilities, the letter stressed the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to AI development.

The letter also raised concerns about market competition and regulatory capture in the AI sector, urging the government to prioritise open competition and strengthen governance measures to prevent undue influence from industry stakeholders.

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“There is a trend towards consolidation at the cutting edge of the market. Upholding open competition is vital to ensure new entrants can establish a foothold,” continued the letter. 

The letter concluded by calling for further clarification on funding allocations for university AI research and emphasised the committee’s commitment to monitoring the government’s progress in addressing their recommendations.

Commenting on the letter, Josh Mesout, Civo chief innovation officer said: 

“Baroness Stowell is right to champion open source and open innovation in AI development, these alternatives are crucial in counteracting the monopolistic tendencies of big tech firms. The open source community, driven by principles of transparency and collaboration rather than proprietary control, enables a decentralised model that protects competition and empowers new contributors.  

“The current laissez-faire approach favours deep-pocketed giants, marginalising smaller innovators. The government must listen to homegrown startups, not default to the preferences of big tech. 

“Implementing standards that ensure equal opportunity access to talent, funding, and resources is crucial for a thriving AI ecosystem. With AI’s transformative impact, getting these frameworks right will determine whether the UK stays at the vanguard or cedes leadership on this issue.”