Today's news drop concerns the future of the music industry if AI leads it. Recently, the U.K. government announced the changes in planned copyright laws. In response, a thousand musicians recorded a protest album featuring no vocals or music.
The government's decision raises questions about the efficiency of the creative community and disappointing the musicians. Many artists are withdrawing their work released online.
U.K Government Prompts to Copyright Changes in Favor of AI
News revealed that the U.K. government is preparing to attract AI companies at the cost of changing copyright laws. The decision would permit developers to train AI models with artists’ online content without requesting payment or permission – the opt-out option is available for artists. The decision disappointed the musicians, and they backlash it severely.
Musicians release a Silent Album as a sign of Protest
As soon as the decision regarding AI’s copyright plans came out, over 1000 musicians released a silent album on Tuesday, February 25, to protest against it. You must be surprised after knowing that this album contains no vocals or music; instead, there are performance spaces and empty studios.
The protest album “Is This What We Want?” indicates the creators' fear of AI companies training their work. The 1000 musicians include renowned names, such as Imogen Heap, Thomas Hewitt Jones, Kate Bush, and Max Richter. Many more co-writers offer their support against the decision, including Damon Albarn, Annie Lennox, The Clash, Billy Ocean, Mystery Jets, Tori Amos, and Yusuf/Cat Stevens.
The silent album contains 12 tracks and presents a message that the British government must not consider legal music theft only to benefit AI companies. In this regard, famous composer Thomas Hewitt Jones explained that his tracks include the sounds of his studio and his two cats. This highlights the album’s reality.
Copyright Protections Announce the Fight Across UK
The proposed AI plans have started an opposition movement in the UK and the US. Artists do not like the idea that AI models use their work without their permission. The same is happening in the United States and worldwide, emphasizing the protection of copyright laws in the AI era.
Amongst them is the contribution of the composer Ed Newton-Rex. He built the AI-based music composition platform and named it Jukedeck. This allowed users and musicians to produce music without depending on protected material. Later, he sold Jukedeck but worked for several AI companies, such as Snap and Stability AI. However, he reverted and now runs a company that does not scrap copyright material illegally.
Recently, he proposed a petition against AI training without a license. It obtained the signatures of nearly 47,000 people, including composers, actors, visual artists, writers, and creatives. It includes 10,000 of those who once supported the UK government’s announcement of AI plans.
The Opt-Out Issue
The UK government also added in its plan that artists must withdraw if they do not want their work used for AI. In response, Newton-Rex considers this an ineffective solution. They also highlight that there is no standardized system that encourages opting out.
However, many artists are making an effort to conserve their work. Hewitt Jones comes forward as he decides to sell his work/music in countries that follow stronger copyright laws, such as Switzerland. Many artists are confused about whether to release their work online. They fear that AI models will use their work for training without their consent.
Silent Album Contributes to Donation against AI Battle
The protest album supports artists who participate in the ongoing battle against AI using musicians' work without bothering copyright laws. The charity Help Musicians is active these days.