Artists launch silent album to protest AI exploitation of their creative works.
Recently, over 1,000 musicians, including well-known artists like Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Kate Bush, took a stand against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright laws by releasing a silent album. This album, titled “Is This What We Want?”, was created to raise awareness of how these changes could impact the livelihoods of musicians and the music industry in general. The artists argue that the new copyright law would make it easier for companies that develop artificial intelligence (AI) to use their work without permission.
Currently, the proposed changes would allow AI developers to utilize content from the internet, including songs and other artistic works, in order to train their models. Unless the original creators specifically opt out, their work could be used freely. This has raised significant concerns among artists and creators, as many believe it undermines their rights and the value of their work.
The silent album features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, reflecting the artists’ fears about the consequences of the proposed change. The album’s main message is clear: “The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.” All the profits from the album will go to Help Musicians, a charity that supports artists in need.
Kate Bush, in a statement, expressed her worries, asking, “In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?” The consultation period for the proposed legal changes ended on the same day as the album’s release. The project has gained support from many other well-known artists, such as Billy Ocean, Ed O’Brien from Radiohead, Dan Smith from Bastille, and several more.
Critics of the proposed changes argue that while the government claims to give artists a “rights reservation” — allowing them to opt out — this is impractical. Individual artists would find it nearly impossible to notify all the different AI services about their choice or track how their work is being utilized across the vastness of the internet.
A spokesman for the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) stated that the current copyright system is hindering creativity and innovation in the UK. They emphasized that discussions about new approaches aim to benefit both AI developers and creators, but have yet to make any final decisions or moves.
Many artists believe these changes could be disastrous for the creative industry. Musician Max Richter pointed out that the proposed plans not only hurt musicians but could also impoverish creators in other fields like writing and visual arts. In a report released earlier this year, the UK music industry was found to have contributed £7.6 billion to the economy, highlighting its significance.
Ed Newton-Rex, an organizer of the silent album initiative, labeled the proposals as completely unnecessary, arguing that the UK can excel in AI without compromising its thriving creative sectors. He noted the unified opposition among musicians feeling abandoned by the government, who fear their work could be exploited for the benefit of large tech firms.
Other artists, such as singer-songwriter Naomi Kimpenu, voiced similar concerns, stating that the proposed legal changes could severely hinder emerging artists’ opportunities in the UK. Renowned figures like Sir Paul McCartney have also criticized these proposed changes, warning that they could enable technology that might make it challenging for artists to earn a living from their work.
In response to these pressing issues, UK creative industries have launched the “Make It Fair” campaign, which seeks to highlight the risks of giving away creative content for free to AI companies. This campaign encourages the public to express their concerns to their MPs about the government’s plans, signaling a collective effort from the creative community to protect their rights and livelihoods.
