British Musicians Protest AI Law with Silent Album
In a bold and unconventional move, over 1,000 British musicians have come together to release a silent album, titled “Is This What We Want”, to protest proposed copyright changes in the UK that could potentially legalise music theft by allowing AI to train on any legally accessible material.
The album, which features contributions from renowned musicians such as Kate Bush and Annie Lennox, among others, is a powerful statement against the proposed law, which has been met with widespread criticism from the music industry.
The controversy surrounds the UK’s Intellectual Property Office’s (IPO) plans to reform the country’s copyright laws to make it easier for technology companies to use AI to create music, art, and literature. While the intention behind this move is to promote creativity and innovation, many in the music industry fear that it could lead to widespread music theft and the erosion of artists’ rights.
The silent album, which was released on May 25th, is a poignant response to the proposed law. The musicians involved have chosen to remain silent, rather than creating music that may be used to train AI models. The album is a powerful statement against the proposed law, highlighting the potential consequences of allowing AI to use copyrighted material without permission.
In a statement released alongside the album, the musicians wrote, “We are not against technology, but we are against the erosion of artists’ rights. We believe that creators should have control over their work and be fairly compensated for its use. The proposed law could lead to the theft of music and the exploitation of artists, and that is not what we want.”
The album’s title, “Is This What We Want”, is a reference to the potential consequences of the proposed law. The musicians are asking the public to consider what kind of world they want to live in, where AI can use copyrighted material without permission. They are also highlighting the potential risks of allowing this kind of technology to become widespread, and the impact it could have on the music industry and the artists who create it.
The silent album has been met with widespread support from the music industry and the public. Many have praised the musicians for taking a bold stand against the proposed law, and for using their platform to raise awareness about the issue.
The proposed law is still in the consultation phase, and the IPO is accepting feedback from the public until July 2023. The British musicians’ silent album is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting artists’ rights, and the potential consequences of allowing AI to use copyrighted material without permission.
As the debate surrounding the proposed law continues, the silent album serves as a timely reminder of the importance of creativity, innovation, and fair compensation for artists. The album is a powerful statement against the erosion of artists’ rights, and a call to action for the public to demand better from their government.
