More than 1,000 musicians, including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Kate Bush, have released a silent album in protest against the UK government’s proposed AI copyright law changes. The artists argue that the new rules would make it easier for AI companies to train models using copyrighted work without a license, threatening livelihoods in the music industry.
The album, titled “Is This What We Want?”, features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, symbolizing the potential impact of AI-driven copyright infringement. Proceeds from the release will be donated to the Help Musicians charity.
What’s Changing in the AI Copyright Law?
Under the proposed changes, AI developers would be allowed to use creators’ content from the internet to train their models unless rights holders explicitly “opt out.”
Critics argue that the opt-out system is flawed, as individual artists and writers would struggle to notify thousands of AI service providers or monitor how their content is being used.
A public consultation on the legal changes is set to close later on Tuesday.
Musicians Warn of ‘Music Theft’
The album has support from artists such as Billy Ocean, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, Bastille’s Dan Smith, The Clash, Mystery Jets, and Jamiroquai. The tracklist delivers a clear message:
“The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.”
Singer Kate Bush issued a statement questioning the future of the music industry under the proposed law:
“In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?”
Government Defends AI Copyright Reform
A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) defended the changes, claiming that the UK’s current copyright framework is holding back the creative industries, media, and AI sector.
“That cannot continue. We are consulting on a new approach that protects both AI developers and rights holders, ensuring both can thrive.”
The government insists that no final decisions have been made, stating that “no moves will be made until we are absolutely confident we have a practical plan.”
Industry Leaders Condemn the Proposal
The silent album protest has drawn support from Imogen Heap, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Riz Ahmed, Tori Amos, and Hans Zimmer.
Composer Max Richter warned that the proposed law would impoverish creators, impacting not only musicians but also writers, visual artists, and other creatives.
Ed Newton-Rex, the organizer of the silent album release, called the proposals “disastrous for musicians” and “totally unnecessary.” He stressed that the UK could still lead in AI innovation without sacrificing its world-class creative industries.
Singer-songwriter Naomi Kimpenu echoed these concerns:
“We cannot be abandoned by the government and have our work stolen for the profit of big tech. This plan will shatter the prospects of so many emerging artists in the UK.”
Sir Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Other Icons Join the Fight
Music icons Sir Paul McCartney, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Sir Stephen Fry have also voiced opposition to the AI copyright reforms.
In a letter to The Times, signed by Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and Sting, they warned that the changes would allow big tech companies to “raid” the creative industries without fair compensation.
McCartney previously warned that the proposed copyright law could introduce “rip-off” technology, making it increasingly difficult for musicians and artists to make a living.
Make It Fair: The Campaign to Protect Creators
In response to the government’s proposals, the UK’s creative industries have launched the Make It Fair campaign, urging the public to write to their MPs and oppose the changes.
The campaign includes full-page ads in national newspapers, warning that music, art, and literature risk being given away for free to AI firms.
With the UK music industry contributing £7.6 billion to the economy in 2023, artists and industry leaders are demanding that the government rethink the legislation before it permanently damages the creative sector.
