The U.K. government is advancing plans to attract more AI companies to the region by amending copyright law. This change would permit developers to train AI models using artists’ content from the internet without seeking permission or making payments, unless creators choose to “opt out.” However, this initiative is not universally accepted.
On Monday, a collective of 1,000 musicians released a “silent album” to protest the proposed changes. Titled “Is This What We Want?,” the album features contributions from artists such as Kate Bush, Imogen Heap, and contemporary classical composers Max Richter and Thomas Hewitt Jones, among others. Additional co-writing credits come from notable figures like Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, Billy Ocean, The Clash, Mystery Jets, Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Riz Ahmed, Tori Amos, and Hans Zimmer.
The project does not represent a music compilation similar to Band Aid but rather consists of recordings capturing the ambiance of empty studios and performance spaces. This serves as a symbolic protest against the potential impact of the copyright law changes. Hewitt Jones explained his part in the album by noting, “You can hear my cats moving around,” referring to his studio companions.
The album’s 12 track titles convey a clear message: “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.” This release is part of a broader movement to highlight concerns over how copyright is managed in AI training contexts. Similar protests are occurring in other countries, such as the U.S., reflecting a global apprehension among artists.
Ed Newton-Rex, who organized the project, has been actively campaigning against AI training without proper licensing. He initiated a petition that has garnered over 47,000 signatures from writers, visual artists, actors, and other creatives, with nearly 10,000 signatories joining in the wake of the U.K. government’s AI strategy announcement.
Newton-Rex, also involved in a nonprofit focused on certifying companies that avoid unconsented scraping and usage, previously founded Jukedeck, an AI music composition platform. Jukedeck allowed users to create music without using existing copyrighted works, ultimately leading to its acquisition by TikTok.
Having worked at various tech companies, Newton-Rex is contemplating how to build innovative futures without compromising past achievements. Currently residing in the Bay Area with his wife, Alice Newton-Rex, VP of product at WhatsApp, Newton-Rex is deeply engaged in these considerations.
The silent album’s release coincides with the impending copyright law changes in the U.K., which will require artists to proactively “opt out” to prevent their work from being used in AI training. Newton-Rex views this as disadvantageous since there is no current mechanism to track materials fed into AI systems.
Newton-Rex expressed concern that “opt-out schemes” are generally ineffective, potentially leading to the majority of creative work being freely available to AI companies. As a response, some artists are considering alternative markets with stronger protection, like Switzerland, for future distribution.
Hewitt Jones recounted a recent protest where he threw a keyboard into a harbor in Kent, later retrieving it in damaged condition. This local protest highlights the broader digital dilemma artists face, as Newton-Rex remarked on the changing perceptions of online sharing.
The album is scheduled to be available on music platforms on Tuesday, with any proceeds or donations directed to the charity Help Musicians.
