1,000 artists release silent album in protest of UK government’s AI copyright plans
The UK government’s plans for an “opt-out” system for using copyrighted material to train AI has not gone down well with the music industry.
Over 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Damon Albarn, and Annie Lennox, have come together to release a silent album in protest against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright laws.
The album, Is This What We Want?, is designed to highlight concerns that artificial intelligence companies could be granted the right to use artists’ work without permission. Featuring recordings of empty studios and silent performance spaces, the project symbolises a future where human creativity is drowned out by AI-generated content. The 12 track titles spell out a stark warning: “The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.”
The protest is a response to the government’s proposed “opt-out” system, which would allow AI developers to train their systems on copyrighted material unless creators explicitly refuse permission. Critics argue that this approach reverses long-standing copyright protections and places an unreasonable burden on artists, particularly those without the resources to enforce their rights. The campaign highlights the flaws of such a system, stating that “opt-out models are near impossible to enforce, have yet to be proven effective anywhere else in the world, and place enormous burdens on artists, particularly emerging talent.”
The proposed changes have drawn criticism from across the creative industries, with figures such as Sir Paul McCartney and Elton John warning that the plan could devastate the UK’s £126 billion creative sector. Many argue that by allowing AI companies to use copyrighted material without consent, the government is effectively handing over artists’ work for free, undermining both their careers and the industry as a whole. The potential consequences extend beyond music, with authors, journalists, and other creators fearing that their work could also be exploited under the new system.
British composer Ed Newton-Rex, a former Vice President of Audio at Stability AI, is among those leading the protest. Newton-Rex resigned from his role over concerns about AI companies using copyrighted content without permission and has since founded Fairly Trained, an organisation that certifies AI firms that commit to using only licensed material. He has been vocal in his opposition to the government’s plans, stating that “The government’s proposal would hand the life’s work of the country’s musicians to AI companies, for free, letting those companies exploit musicians’ work to outcompete them.”
The timing of the album’s release is significant, coinciding with the conclusion of a government consultation on the proposed changes. By launching the project now, artists hope to send a clear message to policymakers about the potential impact of their decisions. Proceeds from the album will be donated to the charity Help Musicians, further emphasising the campaign’s focus on supporting those in the industry.