Over 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Cat Stevens, and Annie Lennox, have released a silent album to protest UK copyright changes on AI.
The album, Is This What We Want, features recordings from empty studios and spaces, symbolising growing opposition to the potential changes.
The proposed changes would allow AI developers to use available material for training, requiring creators to opt out to protect their work.
Musicians argue this would undermine copyright law’s core principle, granting creators exclusive control over their content.
The rise of AI has sparked concerns in music industries over the ethics and legality of AI-generated content without compensating original creators.
Kate Bush and other musicians condemn proposed changes as a “giveaway” to tech giants in open letter to The Times.
Ed Newton-Rex, the organiser of the silent album project, stated that musicians are united in their strong disapproval of the plan.
In a rare move, UK newspapers launched a campaign highlighting the issue, featuring wrap-around ads and editorials.
The public consultation on the legal changes is set to close later on Tuesday.
A government spokesperson defended the proposed changes, claiming the current copyright and AI regime limits the creative potential.