A coalition of over a thousand musicians, including prominent names like Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and Riz Ahmed, have released a “silent album” to express their opposition to proposed revisions of U.K. copyright law. The artists are concerned that the changes would make it simpler for artificial intelligence (AI) companies to utilize their work for training models without obtaining explicit permission, unless the artists actively choose to opt out. The initiative highlights the artists’ concerns regarding the implications of AI on their livelihoods and creative rights.
What exactly is a “silent album”? In this case, the album, titled “Is This What We Want?”, comprises tracks filled with ambient sounds from empty studios and performance venues. This sonic backdrop seeks to symbolize “the impact we expect the government’s proposals would have on musicians’ livelihoods,” according to the album’s promotional material. The album was orchestrated by composer and technologist Ed Newton-Rex.
The launch of the silent album comes at a time when artists from various disciplines are grappling with the surge of AI and its consequences for their income and creative processes. AI has ignited a fervent debate among creatives, with some seeing it as a potential catalyst for innovative directions and others viewing it as a direct threat to their work.
Echoing these concerns, the silent album’s 12 tracks each possess a single-word title that, when combined, form the message of the protest: “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.” The album is available on Spotify, with any proceeds directed to Help Musicians, a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting working and retired musicians.
Why are these copyright amendments being considered? In December, the U.K.’s secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology proposed adjustments to copyright law, with the aim of encouraging investment, innovation, and economic growth in the AI sector and the broader economy. A preamble to the proposed changes reveals that “Rights holders are finding it difficult to control the use of their works in training AI models and seek to be remunerated for its use,” while “AI developers are similarly finding it difficult to navigate copyright law in the UK, and this legal uncertainty is undermining investment in and adoption of AI technology.” The proposed changes have drawn strong opposition.
Composer Thomas Hewitt Jones, one of the contributors to the silent album, expressed his concerns on X, stating that the planned changes “would hand the life’s work of the country’s musicians to AI companies for free.” A public consultation on the proposed legal modifications is scheduled to conclude soon.
Sir Elton John, Paul McCartney and other high-profile individuals from music, media, and film have joined the growing chorus of dissent, opposing the changes to the U.K. copyright law. Simon Cowell, a well known TV personality and record executive, contributed an opinion piece on AI to the Daily Mail over the weekend. While Cowell expressed admiration for AI’s potential, acknowledging its capacity to transform industries, he also recognized its complex implications for the music industry, particularly with the creation of generative AI tools that produce content virtually indistinguishable from human creations. Cowell voiced concerns about the unrestrained use of AI, asserting that fairness and the protection of human creativity are paramount. He emphasized his commitment to safeguarding the talent of the individuals who initiate the artistic process.
