British Artists Unite Against AI with Silent Album

Over 1,000 British artists have come together to express their concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creative industry by producing a unique silent album. This album, called Is This What We Want?, features 12 tracks that offer only silence, yet it carries a powerful message. Esteemed musicians such as Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Annie Lennox, and Jamiroquai are among those involved, underscoring the seriousness of their protest.

The initiative is a direct response to the Data Access and Use Act proposed by the government led by Keir Starmer, which many in the arts community believe threatens their intellectual property rights. This law would allow major tech companies to utilize artistic works to develop generative AI systems without adequate protections for the artists.

Each of the 12 tracks on the album is named using a single word. When read together, they send a clear and striking message of resistance against the proposed legislation: The / British / Government / Must / Not / Legalise / Music / Theft / To / Benefit / AI / Companies.

Prominent figures in the arts, including Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ed Sheeran, Sting, Dua Lipa, and playwright Tom Stoppard, have also voiced their opposition, signing a letter to The Times. In this letter, they denounce the government’s proposal, describing it as an "unconditional and absolute surrender" of the rights and earnings of the creative community to large tech firms.

In an effort to support economic growth in the UK, the government appears eager to position the country as a hub for major U.S. tech companies involved in AI development. However, critics argue that this is at the expense of the protections that have historically supported artists.

The proposed bill weakens the strong intellectual property protections that have been a key aspect of the UK’s cultural landscape. It allows tech companies to train generative AI using existing artistic material without needing to inform the original creators, placing the burden of knowledge on artists to discover if their work has been utilized and to take action if desired.

The opposition to this legislation has been spearheaded by filmmaker and politician Beeban Kidron, who serves as an independent member of the House of Lords. Her efforts have temporarily stalled the bill’s progress. In an early vote in the Lords, a majority supported the requirement for tech firms to disclose the identities of artists whose works they wish to use and clarify the purpose behind their usage.

Baroness Kidron expressed a balanced view on the necessity of AI within the economy, stating that there is a place for AI innovation but that it should not come at the expense of artists’ rights. "This forced marriage, on slave terms, is not it," she emphasized.

The artists involved in the silent protest express a shared belief that the creative industry significantly contributes to the UK economy, generating over €150 billion annually and employing around 2.4 million people. In their letter to The Times, they advocate for a balanced approach, noting that they support progress and innovation but insist on the protection of their intellectual property rights. They conclude that, "there is no economic or moral argument for stealing our copyrights.”

This silent album serves as a profound reminder of the risks posed by AI to artistic integrity and the ongoing debate about how to balance technological advancement with the protection of creative works.

artists, AI, protest, album, rights