More than 1,000 musicians, including some of the UK's most renowned artists like Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and Cat Stevens, have released a silent album titled Is This What We Want? to protest proposed changes to British copyright laws surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). This innovative project, launched on February 25, 2025, features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, symbolizing what could become of the music industry if the government's proposals go through.
The UK government's plans would allow AI developers to use material found online for training their models without the need to obtain permission from copyright holders, prompting fierce backlash from the creative community. According to the new proposals, artists would have to explicitly opt out to prevent their work from being exploited, reversing long-standing principles of copyright law which grant creators exclusive control over their creations.
Kate Bush expressed the collective concern of the artists involved, asking, "Will our voices go heard?" Ed Newton-Rex, the organizer behind the silent album, emphasized the potential fallout: "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 tracklist cleverly forms the message: "The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies."
The protest has captured widespread attention not just among musicians but also within the wider media, with UK newspapers running wrap-around advertisements drawing public support against the planned changes. Many prominent musicians are backing this stance, including Sir Paul McCartney, who has also raised concerns about such changes leading to "rip off" technologies undermining artists' livelihoods.
Critics have voiced startling concerns about the economic impact these changes could have on the UK music industry, which contributed around £7.6 billion to the economy in 2023, with music exports reaching £4.6 billion. During the campaign for copyright protection, many artists, including composer Max Richter and performers like Tori Amos and Imogen Heap, have highlighted the risks associated with the loss of rights for creators.
According to Richard Newton-Rex, the proposal is not just unnecessary but fundamentally harmful to musicians' careers. He argues, "The UK can be leaders in AI without throwing our world-leading creative industries under the bus." The silent album serves as both protest and critique of legislation deemed detrimental to artistic integrity.
Critics of the government's plan suggest the proposed opt-out approach is impractical. For example, artists may struggle to contact and monitor various AI firms, making it unrealistic to protect their work adequately. A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) defended the initiative by claiming it is necessary for fostering growth and innovation, asserting there would be extensive sector consultations moving forward, emphasizing no decisions had yet been finalized.
Musicians, including those from recognized bands like Radiohead, Bastille, and The Clash, are using their platforms to unite against what they see as a serious threat. Many referenced high-profile campaigners, who recently signed letters to The Times advocating for change and warning about the dangers of giving away creative rights.
Following the silent album's release, these artists hope to rally public support and urge their fans to engage with the system by contacting their Members of Parliament to voice their opposition to the proposed laws. Advocates of the campaign have characterized the government's plans as "a wholesale giveaway of rights and income from the UK’s creative sector to Big Tech."
The silent album not only stands as protest but also aims to spark dialogue about the broader challenges facing the arts community, particularly the threat of AI tools generating derivative work without compensation for original creators. The initiative also symbolizes the growing unrest among artists confronting technological advancements threatening their futures. All proceeds from the album are set to be donated to the charity Help Musicians, signifying the community solidarity to support individual artists during such tumultuous times.
With the consultation period now closed, musicians and proponents of copyright laws wait anxiously for the government's next step, demanding their voices be heard as they fight for both their rights and the integrity of their industry. The fate of the UK's creative sectors hangs delicately as the government reassesses its position amid mounting pressure from its artistic community.