Artists Released A Silent Album As A Protest Against The Increasing Use Of AI

Music

Mar 1

Is This What We Want? cover — Image Source: CultureSlate

More than 1,000 musicians have come together for a very special purpose. They have released a special “silent album” in protest of laws that are feared to enable Artificial Intelligence to steal copyrighted work. These laws will enable AI developers “to use creators' content on the internet to help develop their models, unless the rights holders elect to ‘opt out’”, according to the BBC. Concerned about all of this, these artists, including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Kate Bush, have released a silent album this Tuesday, entitled “Is This What We Want?” The album hopes to draw attention to the issues about the laws.

Is This What We Want?, which was also backed by musicians such as Billy Ocean, Ed O'Brien, Dan Smith, The Clash, Mystery Jets, and Jamiroquai, features zero music. Instead, the album features recordings of a studio space and the sounds within it, demonstrating what the artists fear is happening. The tracklist is simply the album’s message: “The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.” All profits from the album will be donated to the charity Help Musicians. The AI boom has been a point of contention, and it’s efforts like these that are leading the anti-AI charge.

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