ARTIFICIAL intelligence firms should not be handed “free rein” to rip off British creative work, top industry bosses warn.

Media leaders say the plans would hamper fair licensing and create chaos in the £125billion creative sector.

The government plans to change copyright laws to allow tech firms to train their AI bots by giving them free access to films, TV, radio shows and journalism — unless creators actively opt out.

In a letter to Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, leaders slammed claims the UK would fall behind on AI if there are restrictions.

It was signed by MPs and bosses from NewsUK, The Guardian, Warner Music and Channel 4,

They said: “Very few countries have given free rein for AI developers to use copyright works without permission.”

They argued the government’s approach could put “the growth of the creative industries at risk” and that deals are already emerging, without government interference.

Stars including Sir Elton John, Simon Cowell, Sir Paul McCartney, and every major UK newspaper have urged the government to stop its copyright rules change bid.

They said the focus should be on transparency, not on rewriting copyright laws, arguing: “Transparency is key to assisting those licensing discussions.”

Creatives warned against making the UK an easy target for AI firms looking to exploit copyrighted material.