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1,000 artists release 'silent' album to protest UK copyright sell-out to AI | TechCrunch

Feb 25, 2025 - techcrunch.com
The U.K. government is proposing changes to copyright law that would allow AI developers to train models on artists' content from the internet without permission or payment, unless creators opt out. In protest, a group of 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Imogen Heap, and others, released a "silent album" titled "Is This What We Want?" featuring recordings of empty studios and performance spaces. The album's track titles collectively spell out a message against legalizing music theft for AI companies. Ed Newton-Rex, who organized the project, has also led a campaign against AI training without licensing, gathering over 47,000 signatures from creatives.

Newton-Rex, a former AI music platform developer, criticizes the opt-out approach, arguing it disadvantages artists who lack a clear method to track their work's use in AI systems. He suggests artists might seek markets with better protections, like Switzerland, to distribute their work. The protest highlights a broader global concern about copyright and AI, with similar movements in other countries. The album will be available on music platforms, with proceeds going to the charity Help Musicians.

Key takeaways:

  • The U.K. government plans to change copyright law to allow AI training on artists' content without permission, sparking protests from musicians.
  • A group of 1,000 musicians released a "silent album" titled "Is This What We Want?" to protest the proposed copyright changes.
  • Ed Newton-Rex, who organized the project, is leading a campaign against AI training without licensing, with a petition signed by over 47,000 creatives.
  • Artists are concerned about the lack of an effective opt-out method and are considering distributing their work in markets with better protections.
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