A bold statement is being made in absolute silence. Over 1,000 musicians, including Annie Lennox, Hans Zimmer, Kate Bush, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, and Dua Lipa, have released a silent album, Is This What We Want?, as a dramatic protest against proposed changes to the U.K.’s copyright law that they say could allow AI companies to exploit their work without permission.
What’s the issue?
The U.K. government is considering a law that would make it easier for AI companies to use copyrighted material—music, art, literature, and more—without needing approval from the original creators. The proposal, introduced last year, would require artists to actively “opt out” if they don’t want their work used for AI training, instead of AI developers having to seek explicit permission first.
Critics argue that this would legalize music theft by allowing AI companies to build models using millions of copyrighted songs and artworks without paying creators. The government, however, insists it wants to find a balance between protecting artists and fostering AI innovation in the U.K.
How are musicians fighting back?
To protest, 1,000 artists came together to release an album with no music—just recordings of empty studios and silent performance spaces, symbolizing the potential future if musicians lose control over their work. The tracklist itself sends a direct message:
“The British Government Must Not Legalize Music Theft To Benefit AI Companies.”
Kate Bush, one of the project’s key voices, warned about the long-term consequences:
“The U.K. is full of pioneering, highly creative and imaginative artists. The government’s willingness to agree to these copyright changes shows how much our work is undervalued.”
The bigger picture
The silent album was released on the final day of public consultation on the proposed law. Meanwhile, British newspapers ran identical headlines calling for urgent action to protect artists from AI exploitation.
Many fear that if the law passes, musicians, writers, and artists will lose control over their own creations, allowing AI to profit from their work without consent or compensation.
This silent protest delivers a loud and clear message:
AI should not be allowed to steal from artists—and silence might be the loudest way to say it.
