Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, as a condition of receiving public funding or access to public compute through the Sovereign AI Fund, AI companies are required to demonstrate lawful access to copyrighted works used in the training or development of their AI models, including by providing evidence of licences from rightsholders or reliance on a specific statutory exception under UK copyright law.

The Sovereign AI Fund operates on a commercial basis and within the UK’s existing legal framework. Companies receiving equity investment through Sovereign AI undergo due diligence before receiving funds or other support and are expected to comply with all applicable laws, including UK copyright law.

The Government has been clear that copyright rules should be respected. Use of copyright works to train AI in the UK requires a licence unless an exception applies. Companies supported by the Sovereign AI Fund are expected to comply with applicable UK law.