Musicians Released an Album of “Silence” to Fight AI
This is not just a quiet album, but a powerful signal to the whole world about the importance of maintaining a balance between technological progress and creators’ rights.
Recently, on February 25, 2025, more than a thousand British musicians, including well-known artists such as Kate Bush, Damon Albarn and Annie Lennox, released an unusual album titled "Is This What We Want?". This album does not contain music in the traditional sense — it consists of recordings of empty studios and concert halls, symbolizing a protest against proposed changes to UK copyright law. These changes could allow companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) to use musicians’ works to train models without their permission or payment, unless artists opt out of this right.
The album is available on platforms such as Spotify, and all proceeds from it go to the charity Help Musicians, which supports musicians in need.
The album’s official website, www.isthiswhatwewant.com, explains that the album was released in response to proposals made at the end of 2024, and that all proceeds from it go to the charity Help Musicians, which supports musicians in need. This highlights not only the protest, but also support for the community.
Details of the Proposed Changes
The UK government, seeking to make the country a leader in AI, proposed changes to copyright law that would allow AI companies to use any material to which they have lawful access, including copyrighted works, to train models. This includes music, images and text. Artists and rights holders would have to actively opt out to prevent their works from being used, creating an additional burden for them. The consultation on these changes, available on GOV.UK, closed on February 25, 2025, coinciding with the album’s release and reinforcing its relevance.
Critics, including peers and publishers, called these proposals “unworkable and unproven,” pointing to a potential violation of creators’ rights. For example, peer Beeban Kidron expressed disappointment, saying this could lead to a “massive” transfer of wealth from the creative industries to the technology sector, as stated in an article in The Guardian.
The Album’s Symbolism and Content
The album "Is This What We Want?" consists of 12 anonymous tracks, none of which names the authors, strengthening its symbolic meaning. The recordings include the sounds of empty studios and concert halls, representing a possible future in which music and artists’ voices could be silenced because their works are used by AI without compensation. For example, one track, reportedly recorded by Kate Bush in her own studio, and another in which the musician’s cats can be heard, add a personal and intimate touch, as noted in an article on TechCrunch.
This symbolism underscores musicians’ concerns that the changes could legalize the use of their works without consent, which they consider a form of theft. Many may not know about the need to opt out or may not do so in time, leading to their creative work being used without compensation, as stated in an article on BBC News.
Impact on Musicians and the Creative Industries
The musicians participating in the album express concern that the proposed changes could undermine their livelihoods. They believe the opt-out system is insufficient, since many may not have the resources or knowledge to opt out effectively, resulting in a significant loss of income and control over their works. For example, Kate Bush said in a statement: “In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?”, reflecting the fear that their creative contributions may be overshadowed or misused by AI, as stated in an article by Reuters.
This protest also reflects broader concerns across the creative industries, including publishers and filmmakers, that AI could threaten their rights and income, especially as neural networks require large datasets for training, often including copyrighted works.
Connection to AI and Neural Networks
Artificial intelligence, especially neural networks, requires large datasets to train and improve its capabilities. This data often includes copyrighted works such as music, images and text, making this dispute especially relevant for a catalog of neural networks. The dispute concerns whether AI companies should have the right to use these materials without explicit permission and under what conditions, as stated in an article by Al Jazeera.
Supporters of the changes argue that they will encourage innovation and help the UK become an AI superpower by reducing legal risks for developers. They believe the opt-out mechanism provides balance, allowing artists to protect their works if they choose to do so, as stated in an article on GOV.UK.
Arguments from Both Sides and Outlook
Those who support the changes believe they will reduce legal uncertainty for AI companies, encouraging investment and innovation. For example, the government emphasizes that this will support the mission of achieving the highest sustained growth in the G7, as stated in an article on GOV.UK. They also believe that the opt-out mechanism allows artists to protect their works if they choose to.
On the other hand, opponents, including the musicians participating in the album, argue that the opt-out system is insufficient and violates the core principle of copyright — protecting creators’ rights. They fear this could lead to a significant loss of income and control, undermining their livelihoods, as stated in an article in The Guardian. The album’s organizer, Ed Newton-Rex, noted that opt-out systems are often ineffective, and that this could hand 90-95% of works to AI companies without compensation, as stated in an article on TechCrunch.