Kate Bush commented on the initiative, emphasizing that “silence speaks volumes,” and warned that if the government's changes pass, musicians' creative outputs would essentially be offered to AI firms without compensation. The controversial proposals would make it necessary for artists to actively “opt out” to prevent their works from being unavailable for AI training purposes. This shift places an undue burden on creators, as highlighted by Ed Newton-Rex, the organizer of the album and CEO of Fairly Trained, a nonprofit focused on certifying generative AI companies for the data they utilize. The window for public feedback on these copyright modifications was set to close on Tuesday evening.
Musicians Protest A.I. Copyright Changes with 'Silent Album'
Musicians Protest A.I. Copyright Changes with 'Silent Album'
A group of over 1,000 artists, including legends like Kate Bush and Billy Ocean, have released an album without lyrics to protest proposed changes to British copyright laws concerning artificial intelligence.
In a unique demonstration of their discontent, more than 1,000 musicians have unveiled a lyric-free album titled "Is This What We Want?" This initiative took place on Tuesday as a response to the British government's suggested modifications to regulations governing the use of copyright-protected work for artificial intelligence training. The album, featuring notable names like Annie Lennox, Hans Zimmer, and Kate Bush, is far from completely silent. It includes various recordings from empty studios, showcasing subtle sounds like footsteps and rustles that symbolize the anticipated detrimental effects of the government's proposals on musicians' livelihoods.
