Musicians unite in silent protest against UK’s AI copyright changes

A wave of discontent has swept through the UK’s music industry, culminating in the release of a groundbreaking silent album. Over 1,000 musicians, including renowned artists, have joined forces to protest the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law, which they argue threaten the very foundation of their creative livelihoods.   

The album, titled “Is This What We Want?”, is a powerful statement against the government’s plans to ease restrictions on AI developers using copyrighted material for training purposes. Instead of traditional musical tracks, the album features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, a poignant symbol of the potential void that artists fear.   

The controversy centers on the UK government’s proposals that would allow AI companies to use online copyrighted material for data mining, regardless of copyright, unless creators actively “opt out.” Musicians argue that this shifts the burden of protection onto creators, making it nearly impossible to safeguard their work in the digital age.   

A Unified Front Against AI Training

The silent album project, spearheaded by Ed Newton-Rex, has garnered support from a diverse range of artists..

The sheer number of participating artists underscores the widespread concern within the music community. The track listing of the album itself spells out a direct message to the governing body: “The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.”   

Concerns Over Creative Livelihoods

Artists fear that the proposed changes will allow AI to replicate their styles and create derivative works without proper compensation, effectively undermining their ability to earn a living. They argue that this could stifle creativity and discourage aspiring musicians from pursuing their passion.   

“In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?” asked Kate Bush, expressing a sentiment shared by many of her peers.

The government’s proposals are part of a broader strategy to position the UK as a global leader in AI. However, critics argue that this ambition should not come at the expense of the country’s thriving creative industries.

The “Opt-Out” Debate

A key point of contention is the government’s “opt-out” approach. Musicians argue that it is unrealistic to expect individual creators to monitor and prevent the use of their work by countless AI developers. They view this as a reversal of fundamental copyright principles.

Ed Newton-Rex, a prominent advocate for fair AI training practices, emphasized that the government’s proposals would “hand the life’s work of the country’s musicians to AI companies, for free.”   

A Call for Action

The release of the silent album coincides with the close of the government’s consultation on copyright and AI. Musicians hope that their collective action will prompt the government to reconsider its proposals and prioritize the protection of creative rights.

All profits from the silent album will be donated to the charity “Help Musicians” showing the artists commitment to supporting those within the music industry.   

This silent protest resounds loudly, sending a clear message that the music industry will not stand idly by as its future is threatened.