The album ‘Is This What We Want?’ was released by more than 1,000 artists to protest a bid to let AI companies use their work unless they opt out.
Over 1,000 musicians—including artists Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Cat Stevens—released a silent album in response to proposed changes surrounding UK copyright law and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Titled “Is This What We Want?,” the album was
released on Feb. 25 to protest a policy that would allow AI companies to use copyright-protected work without permission, unless the owner opts out.
The album features 12 recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, warning of the potential threats to the livelihood of artists and musicians if the changes go through.
When the track listing is combined, it says: “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.”
Its release coincides with the end of the consultation period for any proposed policy changes or feedback on the matter.
In December 2024, the UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
presented a consultation to Parliament on the benefits of AI outputs, as Britain’s
Labour Party government strives to make the nation an AI superpower.
“Copyright law should enable creators and right holders to exercise control over, and seek remuneration for, the use of their works for
AI training,“
read the consultation. ”It should also ensure
AI developers have easy access to a broad range of high-quality creative content.”
Ed Newton-Rex, composer and AI developer, who organized the idea for the album,
told the Associated Press that it symbolized what could happen in the future.
“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,” he said.
“It is a plan that would not only be disastrous for musicians, but that is totally unnecessary. The U.K. can be leaders in AI without throwing our world-leading creative industries under the bus.”
Artists and music industry professionals were quick to
criticize the proposal, including former Beatle
Paul McCartney, who said the move opens the door for AI companies to “rip off” copyright material.
“You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it, and they don’t have anything to do with it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off,” McCartney
said.
He added that the changes would make it more difficult for creators to retain control of their work, impacting future careers.
Further, in an open
letter to The Times, published on Feb. 24,
McCartney joined signatories such as Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Stephen Fry, Ed Sheeran, and Dua Lipa in calling on ministers to reject the proposal.
“Britain’s creative industries want to play their part in the AI revolution, as they have with new technologies in the past. But if this is to succeed, they need to do so from a firm intellectual-property base. If not, Britain will lose out on its best growth opportunity,” read the letter. “There is no moral or economic argument for stealing our copyright. Taking it away will devastate the industry and steal the future of the next generation.“
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
