Over 1,000 prominent musicians, including Damon Albarn, Kate Bush, and Annie Lennox, are releasing a silent album titled "Is This What We Want?" to protest proposed UK copyright law changes affecting AI usage of creative works.

The album, releasing February 25, aims to highlight concerns about new legislation that would allow AI companies to use creators' work without licenses for training purposes, unless rights holders explicitly opt out.

Track names on the album collectively spell out: "The British Government Must Not Legalise Music Theft To Benefit AI Companies." Notable participants include Billy Ocean, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Bastille's Dan Smith, Jamiroquai, The Clash, Mystery Jets, Tori Amos, Hans Zimmer, Imogen Heap, Yusuf Cat Stevens, and Riz Ahmed.

The UK government claims its proposed changes will provide legal certainty and "real control" for creators. However, critics argue it's impractical for individual artists to notify countless AI providers about opting out of their work's use.

Ed Newton-Rex, the project's organizer, describes the government's proposals as "disastrous for musicians" and unnecessary. All profits from the album will support Help Musicians charity.

Kate Bush summarized the artists' concerns with the question: "In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?"

Related Articles

Previous Articles