1,000 artists including New Order, Kate Bush, and Mr. Scruff release silent album in protest of AI law
Over 1,000 artists and music organisations have come together to release a “silent album” protesting against proposed changes to a music copyright law in the UK.
The album, titled ‘Is This What We Want?’, objects the UK government’s proposal to change a copyright law that would allow AI developers to use artist’s work to help improve their own models.
This includes music, artwork, text, and other pieces of work by creators, which would be done without a licence. Rights holders must opt out if they object to their work being used.
Read this next: Max Richter makes impassioned plea for MPs to protect musicians from AI
In protest, artists including Damon Albarn, Mr. Scruff, Kate Bush, Jamiroquai, Emma-Jean Thackray, New Order, Imogen Heap, Cat Stevens, Nubiyan Twist, and Jordan Rakei have come together to stand against changes to the bill.
The album includes recordings of dormant studio spaces, representing the effect on the lives of musicians if the law were to be amended. All profits from the album will be donated to the music charity Help Musicians.
“The musicians on this album came together to protest,” reads a description. “The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.”
Read this next: Music industry workers to lose a quarter of income to AI by 2028, study finds
“The album consists of recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, representing the impact we expect the government’s proposals would have on musicians’ livelihoods.”
British composer Max Richter also appears on the album, which lands just weeks after he made an impassioned plea to MPs, urging for better protection against AI for musicians.
In a speech made to the Culture, Media and Sport and Science, Innovation and Technology select committees, Richter described the UK government’s law proposals as “unfair and unworkable”.
Find out more about ‘Is This What We Want?’ here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter
