
1,000+ Musicians Release Silent Album to Fight UK's AI Copyright Changes
Over 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Damon Albarn, and Annie Lennox, are releasing a silent album titled "Is This What We Want?" to protest proposed UK copyright law changes related to AI training data.
The protest targets new legislation that would allow AI companies to use creators' work without licensing for AI training purposes, unless rights holders explicitly opt out. The album releases on February 25, with all proceeds benefiting Help Musicians charity.

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The album's track listing spells out: "The British Government Must Not Legalise Music Theft To Benefit AI Companies." Notable supporters include Billy Ocean, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Bastille's Dan Smith, Jamiroquai, The Clash, Tori Amos, Hans Zimmer, Imogen Heap, Yusuf Cat Stevens, and Riz Ahmed.
While the UK government claims the new copyright regime will provide creators with "real control" and transparency, critics argue it's impractical for individual artists to notify thousands of AI providers not to use their work. The proposed "rights reservation" system would require creators to actively opt out rather than opt in.
Ed Newton-Rex, the project's organizer, states that these proposals are "disastrous for musicians" and unnecessary, highlighting unified opposition from the music community against the government's plan.
"In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?" - Kate Bush

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