More than 1,000 musicians have released a silent album to protest the British government’s plan to let tech firms use their work for free.
Massive stars including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn and The Clash are among those who have collaborated on the project.
The country is about to be shaken into realization that the UK’s vibrant music industry could face a significant threat if Labour’s bold proposal is implemented.
Under the current system, artists enjoy automatic copyright protection, entitling them to fair compensation when tech companies utilize their creations for training Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms.
However, government officials have disclosed their preference for a different approach, suggesting that tech firms be granted a provision allowing them to freely access and analyze musical works for AI training purposes, unless artists explicitly choose to opt out of this arrangement.
The album – released as a pivotal consultation on the plan closes today – is pointedly titled ‘Is This What We Want’ and the ‘songs’ feature ambient noise from empty studios across the country.
Wuthering Heights singer Bush, who recorded one of the pieces, asked the government: ‘In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?’
Jamiroquai, Imogen Heap, Billy Ocean, and Yusuf Islam – commonly known as Cat Stevens – were among others who joined choirs and lesser-known musicians in backing the album.
More than 1,000 including Kate Bush (pictured) have collaborated on a silent album to warn against government plans to allow tech firms to use their work for free
Other artists including The Clash (pictured) and Annie Lennox are involved in the project, designed to convey the message that the music industry will fall silent if the controversial plans are allowed to go ahead
Damon Albarn of Blur (pictured in London in July 2024) was among stars involved in the project
Ed Newton-Rex, the organiser of the album, said: ‘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.
‘It is a plan that would not only be disastrous for musicians, but that is totally unnecessary: the UK can be leaders in AI without throwing our world-leading creative industries under the bus.
‘This album shows that, however the government tries to justify it, musicians themselves are united in their thorough condemnation of this ill-thought-through plan.’
The album has been released on Spotify today with 12 songs by 12 artists and any profits go to charity.
Aside from Bush, they are keeping the identity of the other artists a secret.
The track listing spells out a simple message: ‘The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.’
Mr Newton-Rex said: ‘They’re all a bit different. It’s not quite silent, there’s ambient room noise.
‘But it’s an empty studio because that’s the effect that this legislation is going to have – it’s going to force people out of the studio.
‘I do hope people listen to it. I’m not expecting it to be number one – it’s a silent album – but it should have an impact.’
Composer, pianist and producer Max Richter, one of the artists involved in the album, said: ‘The government’s proposals would impoverish creators, favouring those automating creativity over the people who compose our music, write our literature, paint our art.’
The music industry contributed a record £7.6 billion to the British economy with exports of UK music reaching £4.6 billion in 2023.
But AI is already expected to bring profits down by a quarter in the next two years even before the government’s radical copyright proposal.
Billy Ocean among other artists who joined lesser-known musicians in backing the album
Yusuf Islam, commonly known as Cat Stevens was among other musicians who joined choirs on the album
Ed Newton-Rex (pictured), the organiser of the album, said ministers’ proposals would let AI firms ‘exploit musicians work to outcompete them’
Tory culture spokesman Stuart Andrew said: ‘We strongly support AI innovation, and we don’t believe that needs to be at the expense of our world-leading creative industries.
‘With widespread concerns about the government’s plans, Labour must rethink their approach to AI and copyright.
‘Under new leadership, the Conservatives would work with experts across key sectors to develop a balanced approach – one that ensures both AI and the creative industries can grow together.’
The Department for Science Innovation and Technology has insisted that the voices of Britian’s world-leading cultural industry will be taken on board in the consultation.
