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AI copyright warning as 5 major risks outlined in UK Lords report

Concerns about AI copyright are rising after a House of Lords committee report. The report warns that unlicensed use of creative works for AI training threatens the UK’s creative industries.

Large AI systems rely on vast amounts of human-created content, often used without clear consent or compensation. Such developments have intensified debates around AI copyright protections.

The committee argues that the key issues are not the copyright framework itself, but the widespread unlicensed use of protected works and AI developers’ lack of transparency.

The lack of clarity prevents rightsholders from knowing whether their works are being used or from enforcing their rights, raising critical questions about the practical application of AI copyright rules.

The report urges the government to reject the proposed commercial text and data mining exception, introduce stronger protections against unauthorised digital replicas, and safeguard against AI outputs that imitate a creator’s style, voice, or identity.

The committee also calls for legal transparency in AI training data, backing the development of a licensing market, and standards for rights-reservation, data provenance, labelling AI-generated content, and support for UK-governed AI models within a robust AI copyright framework.

Baroness Keeley, committee chair, warned: ‘Our creative industries face a clear and present danger from uncredited and unremunerated use of copyrighted material to train AI models.

Photographers, musicians, authors, and publishers are seeing their work fed into AI models, which then produce imitations that take employment and earning opportunities from original creators.’

Keeley added: ‘AI may contribute to our future economic growth, but the UK creative industries create jobs and economic value now.

In 2023, the creative industries delivered £124 billion of economic value to the UK, and this is set to grow to £141 billion by 2030. Watering down the protections in our existing copyright regime to lure the biggest US tech companies is a race to the bottom that does not serve UK interests. We should not sacrifice our creative industries for the AI jam tomorrow.’

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Debate grows over the future of privacy

Experts gathered in London, UK, to examine how the concept of privacy has evolved over centuries. Discussions in London, UK, highlighted that privacy was only widely recognised as a legal and social norm after the Second World War.

Speakers in London noted that earlier societies often viewed privacy with suspicion or did not recognise it at all. Historical examples discussed included practices from Roman society and the French monarchy.

Modern legal protections expanded rapidly in recent decades, with privacy laws now covering about 80 percent of the global population. Scholars said the concept remains relatively new despite its central role in modern democracies.

The debate also explored whether privacy will remain a stable social value as technology evolves. Analysts in London said emerging technologies such as AI are reshaping debates over personal data and surveillance.

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Australia reviews children’s social media ban

Australia has begun reviewing its ban on social media accounts for children under 16, introduced in December 2025. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is tracking more than 4,000 children and families to assess how the policy works in practice.

Researchers in Australia will analyse surveys, interviews and voluntary smartphone data to measure how young people interact with apps. Officials in Australia aim to understand how the ban affects children, parents and everyday online behaviour.

Early reactions in Australia have been mixed, with some teenagers telling media outlets they bypass age verification systems. Platforms reportedly remain accessible to some minors in Australia.

Meanwhile, the UK government has launched a public consultation on potential social media restrictions for children. Policymakers in the UK are seeking views on bans, stronger age verification and limits on addictive platform features.

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UK launches consultation on possible social media ban for under-16s

Britain has opened a public consultation examining whether children under 16 should face restrictions or a potential ban on social media use. Young people, parents and educators are being invited to share views before ministers decide on future policy.

Officials are considering several options beyond a full ban, including disabling addictive platform features, introducing overnight curfews, regulating access to AI chatbots, and tightening age verification rules. Pilot schemes will test proposed measures to gather practical evidence on their effectiveness.

The debate follows international momentum after Australia introduced restrictions on under-16 access to major platforms, with Spain signalling similar intentions. Political parties, charities and campaigners remain divided over whether bans or stronger safety regulations offer better protection.

Children’s organisations warn blanket prohibitions could push young users towards less regulated online spaces, creating a ‘false sense of security’. Researchers and policymakers instead emphasise improving platform safety standards while allowing young people to socialise and express themselves online responsibly.

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Topshop unveils AI shoppable catwalk in Manchester

Topshop has staged what it describes as a world-first AI-driven shoppable catwalk in Manchester, as part of its UK brand revival. The Manchester event combined physical runway looks with real-time digital purchasing through a bespoke Front Row AI app.

Guests in Manchester were able to buy outfits instantly as models walked, while also trying on virtual versions after the show. The experience was adjudicated by the World Record Certification Agency and positioned as a new model for immersive retail in the UK.

The Manchester showcase formed part of Topshop’s regional strategy beyond London, highlighting the North West’s role in the UK fashion sector. Students from the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University designed and presented the finale in Manchester.

Topshop’s broader comeback in the UK includes pop ups in John Lewis stores, a standalone website relaunch and a partnership with Liberty in London. Executives said Manchester marked a new phase where AI and commerce converge to reshape retail experiences.

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AI data centre planned for East Manchester

Latos Data Centres is preparing plans for a 28,000 sq ft data centre in Monsall, East Manchester, aimed at serving rising demand for AI computing. The scheme would occupy a three acre brownfield site at Bower Street and Ten Acres Lane in Manchester.

The East Manchester project is designed as a neural edge data centre, bringing AI processing closer to end users than traditional cloud facilities. Latos said the Manchester development would form part of a broader plan to deliver 30 UK sites by 2030.

A live consultation in Manchester will run until 16 March, with Create Architecture leading the design. Advisers on the Manchester scheme include Euan Kellie Property Solutions on planning and SK Transport Planning on transport matters.

Latos said the Manchester facility would regenerate a vacant industrial plot and operate to high environmental and safety standards. The developer is also delivering a separate data centre in Tees Valley as it expands its AI-focused portfolio across the UK.

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OpenAI expands London research hub

OpenAI is turning its London office into its largest research hub outside the US, marking a strategic shift towards deeper engagement with the UK’s rapidly developing AI landscape. The move places the company in direct competition with Google DeepMind for scientific talent.

An expansion that strengthens OpenAI’s long-term presence in Europe by building a substantial research base rather than relying on satellite operations. The firm aims to attract researchers seeking strong academic links, regulatory clarity and access to the UK’s growing AI ecosystem.

The enlarged London team is expected to support frontier model development and experimental work that aligns with OpenAI’s international ambitions. Senior leadership framed the decision as a vote of confidence in the UK’s capacity to become one of the most influential centres for advanced AI research.

The announcement intensifies debate over global competition for expertise, as major labs seek locations that balance research freedom with responsible oversight.

OpenAI’s investment signals a belief that the UK can offer such conditions while positioning itself as a key player in shaping the next generation of AI capabilities.

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UK enforces mandatory ETA as digital border era begins

Non-visa nationals are now barred from entering the UK, as the country has begun enforcing mandatory digital permission through the Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Travellers from 85 nations, including the US, Canada and France, must obtain an ETA before departure; otherwise, airlines will prevent them from boarding rather than allow last-minute checks at the border. The authorisation costs £16 and remains valid for two years or until a passport expires.

British and Irish citizens remain exempt but must present valid proof of status when travelling. Authorities say the scheme brings the UK into line with similar systems used by the US and the EU.

The Home Office emphasises that the measure strengthens border security and supports a modern, efficient entry process designed to benefit both visitors and the wider public.

A requirement that also applies to travellers passing through the UK to take connecting flights, reinforcing the shift toward a fully digital immigration system.

Over 19 million people have already used the ETA since its launch in 2023, generating significant revenue that is being reinvested in broader border improvements. Officials argue that the momentum paves the way for a future contactless border, supported by the steady transition from physical documents to eVisas.

From 26 February, Certificates of Entitlement will also be issued digitally, creating a single record that no longer expires with a passport.

Most ETA applications are processed automatically within minutes, allowing short-notice trips to remain possible. However, authorities still recommend applying up to 3 working days in advance to avoid delays for the small number of cases that require additional review.

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UK Justice Secretary pushes expanded AI use in courts to tackle backlogs

In a speech at the Microsoft AI Tour in London, Lammy outlined a vision for using AI to help address persistent backlogs in the criminal justice system, which currently stands at tens of thousands of unresolved cases, by automating and streamlining court administration and case progression tasks.

He described how pilot tools have already been used in the probation system to transcribe meetings and save over 25,000 hours of administrative time. He said similar AI transcription and summarisation systems are being tested in courts and tribunals to help judges, magistrates and legal advisers handle paperwork more efficiently.

Lammy also announced plans to invest more in an in-house Justice AI unit, with additional funding, to support pilot AI tools such as an intelligent listing assistant (J-AI) to help schedule and prioritise cases, and to strengthen partnerships with technology firms alongside funding programmes like LawtechUK to support law-tech innovation.

The Ministry of Justice will expand the use of AI tools to assist transcription, case summary generation and legal analysis, aiming to free up human judges and staff to focus on substantive decision-making.

The reforms come amid broader judicial changes, including lifting caps on court sitting days and proposals to reduce the number of jury trials for less serious offences, to alleviate bottlenecks that could otherwise take years to clear.

However, legal industry groups such as The Law Society of England and Wales have expressed reservations, saying AI may help with administrative tasks. Still, they should not replace critical human judgement in decisions with serious consequences.

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AI data centre surge pushes electricity demand in the UK to new heights

The UK faces rising pressure on its electricity system as about 140 new data centre projects could demand more power than the country’s current peak consumption, according to Ofgem.

The regulator said developers are seeking about 50 gigawatts of capacity, a level driven by rapid growth in AI and far beyond earlier forecasts.

Connection requests have surged since late 2024, placing strain on a grid already struggling to support vital renewable projects that are key to national climate targets.

Work needed to connect expanding data centre capacity could delay schemes considered essential for decarbonisation and economic growth, instead of supporting the transition at the required pace.

The growing electricity footprint of AI infrastructure also threatens the aim of creating a virtually carbon-free power system by 2030, particularly as high costs and slow grid integration continue to hinder progress.

A proposed data centre in Lincolnshire has already raised concerns by projecting emissions greater than those of several international airports combined.

Ofgem now warns that speculative grid applications are blocking more viable projects, including those tied to government AI growth zones.

The regulator is considering more stringent financial requirements and new fees for access to grid connections, arguing that developers may need to build their own routes to the network rather than rely entirely on existing infrastructure.

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