Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has joined a growing chorus of artists opposing the UK Government's Data (Use and Access) Bill, which would allow AI systems to use existing music for training without explicit consent or compensation.

Photo Credit: Avda // CC by 3.0

In a powerful statement on Instagram, Page drew from his experience as a session musician in 1960s London to emphasize the human elements of musical creation. He stressed that the countless hours spent in studios weren't just work but represented genuine creative collaboration that AI cannot replicate.

Page highlighted three main concerns with the proposed legislation:

1. The bill would allow AI companies to use artists' works without consent or payment
2. The proposed "opt-out system" is technically impossible to implement effectively
3. AI-generated content lacks the "visceral essence" that comes from lived experience

"When AI scrapes the vast tapestry of human creativity to generate content, it often does so without consent, attribution, or compensation. This is not innovation; it's exploitation," Page stated.

The legendary guitarist emphasized that if someone had taken his riffs without acknowledgment during his session days, it would have been considered theft. He argues the same standard should apply to AI use of creative works.

Page's protest joins a larger movement of over 1,000 musicians, including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Kate Bush, who recently released a silent album titled "Is This What We Want?" to protest the UK's planned changes to copyright law. All profits from the album will support Help Musicians charity.

The artist collective is calling for legislation that requires explicit consent and fair compensation for AI use of human creativity, arguing that the current proposal threatens both artists' livelihoods and the future of original artistic expression.

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