Over 1,000 musicians, including Annie Lennox and Kate Bush, have released a silent album in response to proposed UK copyright law changes which would allow AI companies to train models on copyrighted content without securing a licence unless creators actively opt-out.
Titled Is This What We Want?, the album aims to highlight concerns about the impact on artists’ livelihoods and the UK music industry.
In a statement, Kate Bush questioned whether artists’ voices would be lost in the future.
The album includes recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, symbolising the potential consequences of the legal changes. It has support from figures such as Billy Ocean, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, and Bastille’s Dan Smith, alongside The Clash, Cat Stevens, Hans Zimmer, and Jamiroquai.
The tracklisting spells out a direct message: ‘The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.’
Proceeds of the album will go to UK’s Help Musicians charity.
