Renowned British author Sir Philip Pullman has issued a strong call for government action over the use of writers’ works to train artificial intelligence (AI) software without permission or compensation, a practice often referred to as “scraping.” Pullman, whose acclaimed His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust trilogies have sold 49 million copies worldwide, describes the practice as “wicked” and “immoral,” warning it could stifle creativity and threaten the growth of the creative industries. Speaking to the BBC, Pullman emphasized that authors should be compensated when their work is used.

Renowned British author Sir Philip Pullman has issued a strong call for government action over the use of writers’ works to train artificial intelligence (AI) software without permission or compensation, a practice often referred to as “scraping.” Pullman, whose acclaimed His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust trilogies have sold 49 million copies worldwide, describes the practice as “wicked” and “immoral,” warning it could stifle creativity and threaten the growth of the creative industries. Speaking to the BBC, Pullman emphasized that authors should be compensated when their work is used. “They can do what they like with my work if they pay me for it,” he said. “But stealing people’s work… and then passing it off as something else… That’s immoral but unfortunately not illegal.” Authors including Kate Mosse and Richard Osman have voiced similar concerns, highlighting the lack of recognition and payment for works used in AI training. Pullman’s latest novel, The Rose Field, concludes the second trilogy about Lyra Silvertongue. The book explores themes of imagination, memory, and hope, reflecting Pullman’s belief that curiosity and creativity are essential qualities that society should nurture, especially in children. He also criticizes rigid education policies that prioritize rote learning over creative thinking. While Pullman is bidding farewell to Lyra and other characters, he hints that the story may not be entirely finished. Beyond fiction, he is now working on a memoir about his unusual childhood and the world that shaped him. Pullman’s remarks arrive amid ongoing consultations in the UK on AI and copyright law, signaling growing concern over the legal and ethical implications of AI in the creative sector.

A little more informed. A little more connected.