AI and artists
The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) has dominated news headlines over the past few years. It's entered the public consciousness as a tool that could make giant leaps forward in science and health, while also imitating human traits like decision making and creative output.
AI-generated artworks have sold at auction, won photography prizes, appeared on the front cover of magazines, and stirred debate.
Considering creatives, copyright and AI
In April 2025, DACS and PICSEL commissioned new research exploring how the UK government could tackle the ongoing challenges around copyright and generative AI by adopting transparency measures that enable better control and fair pay for artists and rightsholders.
The resulting report, Considering creatives, copyright and AI, stresses that rightsholders must be able express granular and nuanced decisions about potential uses of their works through standardised systems, and receive fair pay for uses of their works.
Convocation Research and Design, an interdisciplinary think tank focussing on technology, design, and human rights, worked with stakeholders in IP law, visual arts and AI through a series of focus groups to conceive a route for generative AI development that respects copyright and pays rightsholders.
Copyright and artificial intelligence consultation
In December 2024, the UK Government announced an open consultation seeking “views on how the government can ensure the UK’s legal framework for AI and copyright supports the UK creative industries and AI sector together.”
DACS believes that consent, control and remuneration for IP rights should be central to the UK’s goals for AI development and that the onus should not be on rights holders to prevent AI firms from commercially exploiting their data without permission or remuneration.
Any solution in the UK must enable artists to effectively and easily exercise their rights, and receive fair compensation for use of their work.
To support our recommendations, you can Write to your MP in support of the Creative Rights in AI Coalition.
Artificial Intelligence and Artists’ Work: A survey of artists on AI
At the end of 2023, DACS launched a survey to understand directly from artists and artists’ representatives how AI impacts them, what positive outcomes or opportunities may be presented by AI, and what barriers exist to using the technology in their practice.
1000 artists and artists' beneficiaries responded to the survey, and 352 provided comments, drawing on their own experiences. Their responses indicated:
- there is significant concern amongst artists that unregulated AI would negatively impact their careers, future opportunities and copyright, and that the rapid development of the technology has created a skills shortage
- a third of artists are using AI as a tool in their practice, or to assist with tasks related to their work – showing that AI will have a significant impact on what it means to be an artist in today’s world
- there is strong support for a licensing based solution to the challenges posed by AI
Supporting Creative Futures in Arts, Culture and AI
As part of the AI Fringe 2025, which coincided with the Paris AI Action Summit, DACS convened a critical panel exploring the potential impacts of AI models on creators and their IP rights. It delved into challenges and opportunities generative AI presents in creative sectors.
As AI technologies reshape the landscape of artistic production and intellectual property (IP), the panel aimed to address how considered policy approaches can ensure sustainable growth while safeguarding the value of creative work.
Speakers
The panel members were:
- Thangam Debbonaire, Former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Advisor at UKAI
- Victoria Ivanova, R&D strategic Lead at Serpentine Galleries
- Suhair Khan, Founder of open-ended
- Reema Selhi, Head of Policy and International at DACS
- Moderated by Kester Brewin, Associate Director, Institute for the Future of Work
Watch the recording of this session.
