By altering copyright laws, the U.K. government is moving forward with ambitions to draw more AI companies to the area. Unless creators voluntarily “opt out,” the proposed amendments will permit companies to train AI models on artists’ online content without their consent or payment. However, not everyone is following the same path.
A group of 1,000 artists protested the proposed changes by releasing a “silent album” on Monday. “Is This What We Want?” is the title of the album, which includes songs by Kate Bush, Imogen Heap, and modern classical composers Thomas Hewitt Jones and Max Richter. Additionally, hundreds more people have co-written credits on it, including well-known figures like Annie Lennox, Billy Ocean, Damon Albarn, The Clash, Mystery Jets, Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Riz Ahmed, and Tori Amos.
However, this is not part two of Band Aid. Furthermore, it isn’t a compilation of songs. As a symbolic portrayal of what they think will happen as a result of the proposed changes to copyright laws, the artists have instead recorded vacant studios and performance venues.
“You can hear my cats moving around,” is how Hewitt Jones described his contribution to the album. “I have two cats in my studio who bother me all day when I’m working.”
To put it even more bluntly, the album’s twelve tracks’ titles all convey the same message.“The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.” You can listen for yourself here.
The CD is the only recent action taken in the United Kingdom to raise awareness of the problem with copyright in AI training. Similar demonstrations are taking place in other areas, including as the United States, indicating that artists around the world are concerned.
The project’s organizer, Ed Newton-Rex, has also been spearheading a larger movement against AI training without a license.
Since the U.K. government disclosed its big AI policy five weeks ago, about 10,000 writers, visual artists, actors, and other creative professionals have signed a petition he initiated, which currently has over 47,000 signatures.
