The UK government is required to publish two AI and copyright-focused reports by March 18, 2026 under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. These reports address the balance between AI developers’ interests in using training data and rights-holders’ intellectual property protections. A broader government consultation on copyright and AI is expected to produce further legislative proposals later in 2026. The UK’s overall AI governance framework remains largely voluntary and principle-based, with no comprehensive AI law equivalent to the EU AI Act.
Who it affects: AI developers training on UK-sourced content. Publishers, journalists, artists, and other rights-holders whose work may be used in AI training datasets. Outcomes will determine whether the UK adopts an opt-out model, licensing requirements, or other mechanisms for training data use.
What is notably missing: The copyright discussion is entirely separate from any public education or workforce dimension. There are no linked proposals on AI literacy, ethics training, or obligations for companies to train employees. The UK’s governance trajectory addresses the economic and intellectual property dimensions of AI without engaging the civic or educational ones.