Elton John Breaks Silence on Surprise New Music Project—Everything We Know So Far

Legendary singer-songwriter Elton John has blasted the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law that would let technology companies train artificial-intelligence models on musicians’ work without upfront permission. In a fiery BBC interview, John called ministers “absolute losers” and branded the scheme “criminal,” warning it would “rob young people of their legacy and their income.” The plan, now under consultation, would force creators to opt out if they don’t want their material scraped by AI developers. John argues that emerging artists lack the time and money to police such usage, effectively handing Big Tech a license to “commit theft” of Britain’s creative output. John has rallied industry heavyweights—including Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ed Sheeran—behind a petition demanding that Prime Minister Keir Starmer abandon the approach and instead require paid licensing. Lawmakers in the House of Lords recently supported an amendment forcing AI companies to reveal copyrighted material in their training data, but the government removed the clause during Commons debate, fuelling John’s anger. Beyond Westminster, the 77-year-old icon is proving he hasn’t retired quietly. Earlier this month he drew 27,000 fans to Petco Park in San Diego for his only scheduled U.S. show of 2025, raising $11.5 million for cancer research. That momentum, coupled with a successful Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, amplifies his voice as he fights what he calls an existential threat to artistic livelihoods. Industry groups say Britain’s creative economy—worth more than £100 billion annually—could lose thousands of jobs if free-use AI training becomes law. Tech firms counter that looser rules would make the UK an “AI superpower.” The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology insists no final decision will be signed off “unless we are completely satisfied they work for creators.” John, however, vows legal action if the government presses ahead. “A machine doesn’t have a soul,” he said. “Human beings create to bring pleasure—and they deserve to be paid for it.” With MPs expected to review the consultation’s economic impact assessment in the coming weeks, the Rocket Man’s showdown with Silicon Valley-friendly policymakers is set to dominate Britain’s AI debate. Fans and fellow artists alike will be watching whether Westminster rewrites the score—or faces the music from one of pop’s most influential voices.