In a striking act of defiance, more than 1,000 musicians—including icons like Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Kate Bush—released a silent album on Tuesday to protest the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law. The artists argue that the new legislation would enable AI companies to exploit copyrighted material without proper licensing, threatening the livelihoods of creators and the future of the UK music industry.
Titled Is This What We Want?, the album features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, symbolizing the silence artists fear could engulf their industry if the proposed laws take effect. The tracklist itself delivers a powerful message: "The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies." All proceeds from the album will be donated to the charity Help Musicians.
The controversy stems from a government consultation on plans to allow AI developers to use online content for text and data mining without requiring explicit permission from rights holders. While creators would have the option to "opt out," critics argue that the burden of monitoring and enforcing these rights across countless AI platforms would be insurmountable for individual artists.
Kate Bush encapsulated the collective concern in a statement: "In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?" Her sentiment is echoed by a diverse coalition of artists, including Billy Ocean, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, Bastille’s Dan Smith, and legends like The Clash and Jamiroquai, all of whom have backed the silent album.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has defended the proposals, stating that the current copyright framework is stifling the potential of both the creative industries and the AI sector. A DSIT spokesperson emphasized that no final decisions have been made and that the government is committed to finding a balanced solution that benefits all parties.
However, artists remain unconvinced. Composer Max Richter warned that the changes would not only harm musicians but also "impoverish creators" across all artistic disciplines. Imogen Heap, Yusuf (Cat Stevens), Riz Ahmed, Tori Amos, and Hans Zimmer are among the many high-profile figures supporting the protest.
Organizer Ed Newton-Rex described the proposals as "disastrous for musicians" and "totally unnecessary," arguing that the UK can lead in AI innovation without sacrificing its world-renowned creative industries. Singer-songwriter Naomi Kimpenu added, "We cannot be abandoned by the government and have our work stolen for the profit of big tech."
The stakes are high. In 2023, the UK music industry contributed a record £7.6 billion to the economy. Artists fear that the proposed changes could devastate emerging talent and undermine the sector’s global standing. Sir Paul McCartney, Lord Lloyd Webber, and Sir Stephen Fry are among the signatories of a letter to The Times condemning the plans, joined by Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and Sting.
In response, the UK’s creative industries have launched the Make it Fair campaign, urging the public to contact their MPs and oppose the government’s plans. The campaign includes national newspaper advertisements and calls for widespread engagement to protect the rights of creators.
As the public consultation period closes, the silent album stands as a poignant reminder of what could be lost. The artists’ message is clear: the UK government must prioritize the protection of creative works and ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of artistic integrity.
The question remains: will the voices of musicians be heard, or will they be silenced by the march of technology?
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