Artists release silent album in protest against AI using their work

On Tuesday, a remarkable event took place as over 1,000 musicians, including renowned artists such as Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Kate Bush, released a silent album in a bold protest against the UK government's proposed changes to copyright law. These changes, according to the artists, would allow artificial intelligence (AI) companies to utilize their copyrighted works without obtaining proper licenses. The album, titled 'Is This What We Want? ', aims to raise awareness about the potential consequences these legal alterations could have on the livelihoods of musicians and the broader UK music industry. All proceeds from the album will be donated to the charity Help Musicians. In a statement, Kate Bush poignantly questioned, 'In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard? ' The government is currently conducting a public consultation regarding these legal changes, with the deadline for feedback set for later on Tuesday. The silent album features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, symbolizing the artists' fears about the impact of the proposed law changes. The tracklist of the album conveys a powerful message: 'The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies. ' This message is prominently displayed on the back cover of the album. The government is considering new regulations that would permit AI companies to use online content without adhering to copyright laws, provided they are using it for text or data mining purposes. Generative AI programs learn from vast amounts of data, including text, images, and music, to create new content that resembles human-made work. The proposed changes would grant artists a 'rights reservation,' allowing them to opt out of having their content used in this manner. However, critics argue that it is impractical for individual artists to notify numerous AI service providers that they do not want their work utilized, or to monitor the usage of their content across the internet. A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) stated that the UK's current copyright framework is hindering the creative industries, media, and AI sector from reaching their full potential. They emphasized the need for a new approach that balances the interests of both AI developers and rights holders, enabling both to thrive. The spokesperson also noted that no decisions have been finalized and that no actions will be taken until a practical plan is in place. Many prominent artists, including Imogen Heap, Yusuf (also known as Cat Stevens), and Riz Ahmed, have also lent their support to the silent album initiative. Composer Max Richter highlighted that the proposed changes would not only affect musicians but also impoverish creators across various fields, including writers and visual artists. Ed Newton-Rex, the organizer of the silent album, expressed that the proposals are 'disastrous for musicians' in the UK and entirely unnecessary, asserting that the country can lead in AI without compromising its world-class creative industries. He emphasized that the new album demonstrates the unity of musicians in their strong condemnation of this poorly thought-out plan. Singer-songwriter Naomi Kimpenu added, 'We cannot be abandoned by the government and have our work stolen for the profit of big tech. ' She expressed concern that the proposed changes could severely impact the future of many emerging artists in the UK. On Tuesday, national newspapers featured a wrap-around advertisement for the Make It Fair Campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the potential risks to creative content. In January, the proposed changes to copyright law could enable 'rip-off' technology that might jeopardize the ability of musicians and artists to earn a living. A letter published on Monday, signed by notable figures such as Sir Paul McCartney, Lord Lloyd Webber, and Sir Stephen Fry, expressed opposition to the changes in copyright laws. The Make It Fair campaign is urging individuals to write to their MPs to voice their objections to the government's plans, emphasizing the need to protect the creative industries.