Elisa Hilton

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Email the studio

Odyssey

Use It Up And Wear It Out

Listen Live

Harrogate MP fights against students' work being used to train AI

Friday, 2 October 2026 11:23

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has raised concerns about students’ academic work being used to train artificial intelligence.

The Liberal Democrat has contacted the Russell Group, Universities UK, the Secretary of State for Education and the AI Minister over proposed changes to Turnitin’s licensing terms.

Turnitin, a US company whose software is used to submit and assess academic work, has said it is considering allowing students’ submissions to be used to train AI models.

Mr Gordon has questioned whether students can meaningfully consent to this use of their work when the software is used so widely across UK universities.

He has asked Universities UK and the Russell Group, which together represent more than 140 institutions, whether they share his concerns and offered to work with them on the issue.

Tom said:

“Students already have a raw deal. They're seeing their job prospects rapidly decline because of AI, and we're turning around and asking them to feed that beast.

“It's their work, their intellectual property. They shouldn't be forced to turn it into an AI learning model. It's not a real choice when 98% of higher education providers use the software.

“The Government, Russell Group and Universities UK need to step in and work with students' unions to create national safeguards; otherwise, it's David versus Goliath.

“Students should be able to understand how their work will be used and should not be placed in a position where handing over their intellectual work for commercial AI development is effectively a condition of being assessed.”

Mr Gordon has also asked ministers what the Government will do to protect students’ intellectual property, what discussions it has held with Turnitin about the proposed changes and whether it will help establish national safeguards.

The intervention follows his campaign on unfair student loan repayments.

Mr Gordon, who is honorary president of the University of York Liberal Democrat Society, has also backed the Young Liberals’ call for a Digital Bill of Rights, including protections for intellectual property and online privacy.

More from Local News

Knaresborough's Painting Pots celebrates customers with first awards

Painting Pots in Knaresborough is handing out £260 worth of vouchers and prizes to the winners of its first customer awards.
Harrogate to host Christmas ice sculpture trail this December

An ice sculpture trail will bring eight frozen creations to Harrogate town centre this December.
Site manager wins housebuilding 'Oscar' for Harrogate development

A site manager at a Harrogate housing development has won a national award recognising excellence in housebuilding.
Harrogate boy left deaf by meningitis to feature in BBC appeal

A five-year-old boy from Harrogate who lost his hearing after contracting meningitis will feature in a BBC Lifeline appeal this Sunday (4th October).
Bramham Park adds traditional fairground to first Christmas market

Bramham Park has announced a traditional fairground will be part of its first Christmas market this November.
Harrogate community café to host free coffee-tasting morning

A community café in Harrogate is inviting residents to a free coffee-tasting morning this month.
North Yorkshire Police to star in new Channel 5 series

North Yorkshire Police will take centre stage in a new television series launching on Monday (5th October).
Labour mayor and Tory councillor unite over Labradors and pub trips

A Conservative councillor and Labour mayor found some unlikely common ground over Labradors and trips to the pub during a North Yorkshire council meeting today.
Councillors back consultation on pedestrianisation of historic Ripon street

A public consultation is set to be requested on the long-running debate over pedestrianising one of Ripon’s most historic streets.
Harrogate businesses join forces to tackle retail crime

Harrogate businesses have joined police and industry experts at an event aimed at tackling retail crime.
Harrogate school joins family's fight against blood cancer

Duchy College has chosen Blood Cancer UK as its charity of the year after two pupils lost their mother to the disease.
Mayor says 'dictator' comparison by North Yorkshire councillor was 'offensive'

York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith has hit back after a senior North Yorkshire councillor compared the growing powers of elected mayors to those of a dictator.
Harrogate sports therapist opens new performance hub

A Harrogate sports therapist has opened a new hub for injury treatment, rehabilitation and performance training.
Harlow Carr's Glow trail to celebrate 10 years with new displays

RHS Harlow Carr's Glow light trail will return this winter with new displays to mark its tenth anniversary.
Harrogate's Cairn Hotel goes on the market for £6million

Harrogate's Cairn Hotel has been put on the market with an asking price of £6million.
Knaresborough beauty salon celebrates 20th anniversary

A Knaresborough beauty salon is celebrating 20 years in business with a month of anniversary giveaways.
Charity golf day raises £2,500 for Harrogate Meals on Wheels

Harrogate Neighbours has raised £2,500 for its Meals on Wheels service at its annual charity golf day.
Local Lotto celebrates eight years of supporting good Harrogate causes

The Local Lotto has celebrated its eighth birthday, with more than £38,000 now raised each year for good causes across the Harrogate district.
North Yorkshire faces major challenge to prepare Local Plan in 30 months

North Yorkshire Council has warned it faces a major challenge to draw up a blueprint that will determine where thousands of new homes are built across the county within a tight government-imposed timetable.
New owner and name change for Knaresborough coffee shop

A Knaresborough coffee shop is changing hands and will become known as Lupins.