Paul McCartney has urged the British government to avoid altering copyright laws in a way that he believes could allow artificial intelligence companies to exploit artists, reports AP.

The government is seeking feedback on whether tech firms should be allowed to use copyrighted material to train AI models unless the creators explicitly opt out.

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McCartney expressed his concern in an interview with the BBC, warning that such a change could make it more difficult for artists to maintain control over their creations and harm the UK’s creative industries.

“Young people come up with beautiful songs, but they don’t own them, and they have no say in how they’re used. Anyone can take them and use them,” the 82-year-old former Beatle said, in an interview set to air on Sunday. An excerpt was shared by the BBC on Saturday.

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“The reality is, the money is going somewhere. When music hits streaming platforms, someone is profiting, and that someone should be the person who created it, not a tech corporation,” he added.

The UK’s Labour Party government aims to position the country as a global leader in AI. In December, it launched a consultation on how copyright laws could balance giving creators control over their works and ensuring AI developers can access diverse, high-quality content.

A coalition of publishers, artists’ groups, and media companies, including The Associated Press, have joined forces to oppose any dilution of copyright protections.

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“We’re the people, and you’re the government. Protect us, that’s your role,” McCartney said. “If you’re passing a bill, make sure it shields the creative artists, or you risk losing them.”