According to the government, the core objectives of the Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUA Bill), which was introduced to Parliament in October 2024, are to help grow the economy, improve UK public services, and make people’s lives easier.

The DUA Bill covers data protection, standardising information sharing across the NHS and/or (potentially) removing (some) barriers to the implementation of AI systems, as well as improving use of data across sectors in the UK economy, such as energy, telecoms, infrastructure, financial services, health and social care.

In terms of AI, the big ask from the representatives of the publishing, music, design, authors, artists, film making, et al the creative industries, is for transparency to be included in the wording in the clause. This will hence, require AI developers to adhere to strict requirements on ‘web crawlers’ and AI that they are transparent, open, and ethical in their access, purpose, and use of copyright materials for generated AI training purposes.

“It cannot be right that this or any government has the power to give away the copyright that underpins our gold UK standard creative industries. Apart from anything else, it is not in their gift to do so and is contrary to current UK intellectual property law, which affords protection to content creators. This is not about the Creative Industries v Big Tech and AI, it is to craft an agreement where both can benefit from each other to achieve growth through ethical and transparent use, where originators are rightfully compensated for their work,” said Dids Macdonald, Chair and Co-Founder of Anti Copying in Design (ACID).

Further amendments have now been tabled, and the debate goes on. The final, critical reading will take place on the 12th of May in the House of Lords.