Musicians Protest U.K. Copyright Overhaul They Fear Favors AI
More than a thousand musicians, including renowned artists like Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and Sir Elton John, have released a “silent album” to protest proposed changes to U.K. copyright law. The musicians fear these changes will make it easier for AI companies to use their work to train models without seeking permission, unless artists actively choose to opt out.
The ‘Silent Album’ Approach
The album, titled “Is This What We Want?,” features tracks filled with the ambient sounds of empty studios and performance spaces. This creative approach symbolizes the impact musicians expect the government’s proposals to have on their livelihoods. The album was organized by composer and technologist Ed Newton-Rex.
The Core of the Dispute
The protest arises amidst a broader debate among artists regarding the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and its implications on their income and creativity. While some creatives see AI’s potential for innovation, many view it as a direct threat to their work and rights.
Earlier in February, when Christie’s announced they would host their first auction dedicated solely to AI art, thousands of artists signed an open letter urging its cancellation. The letter cited concerns that “many of the artworks you plan to auction were created using AI models that are known to be trained on copyrighted work without a license.”
The “silent album” echoes these concerns. Each of the 12 tracks has a one-word title, and when combined, the words spell out the protest’s message: “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.”
The album is available on Spotify, and all proceeds will benefit Help Musicians, a U.K. charity that supports musicians, both working and retired.
Proposed Copyright Changes: The Government’s Perspective
The U.K.’s secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology proposed the copyright law changes in December. The stated goal was to stimulate investment, innovation, and growth in the AI sector and the wider economy.
The proposed changes acknowledge 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,” and “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.”
However, the proposed changes have drawn serious criticism. Composer Thomas Hewitt Jones, who is among the musicians involved in the silent album, said on X that the government’s planned copyright changes “would hand the life’s work of the country’s musicians to AI companies for free.”
A public consultation on the legal changes closed on Tuesday.
High-Profile Support for Musicians
Jones and other singers, songwriters, composers, and producers backing the album join a growing chorus of high-profile voices from music, media, and film who oppose the relaxation of U.K. copyright law. In addition to Sir Elton John, Paul McCartney and TV personality and record executive Simon Cowell have also spoken out.
Cowell, while acknowledging his appreciation for certain aspects of AI, also recognizes its complex implications for the music industry. He points out how quickly generative AI tools now create images, videos, and songs that are almost indistinguishable from human creations.
“Some of the things I’ve heard about AI being used recklessly and without regulation are scary,” Cowell wrote in an opinion piece. “A great song to me is like a great painting. I really do embrace the future. However, I also believe that you have to be fair. And I’m only writing this because I passionately care about people’s personal creativity, and AI shouldn’t be able to steal the talent of those humans who created the magic in the first place.”
