One of the big recent campaigns to catch public imagination comes from a place of continuing angst from the creative industries around the pervasive power of AI.
In one corner of the industry, the coordinated ‘Make it Fair’ national newspaper front-page protest made headlines (because they write the headlines) against government plans concerning AI and copyright. In another, the music industry also took a stand, releasing a silent album titled “Is This What We Want?” featuring over 1,000 musicians, including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn and Kate Bush.
With the express aim of highlighting the potential impact of easing restrictions on AI use of copyrighted work, the release features a range of recordings from empty studios and performance spaces to symbolise the possible effect of the proposed changes on musicians’ livelihoods. Featuring a track list that combines to read, “The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies”, their message is pretty bloody clear.
With all profits donated to the charity Help Musicians, this has some huge names attached, with the likes of Hans Zimmer, Paul McCartney, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Billy Ocean, and Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien showing their support. Naturally, it’s delivered in gallons of ink spilt across the national and music press that have quickly crumbled into on-air debates across the broadcasters on the uncertainties AI presents to creative livelihoods.
Regarding the government’s response, what happens remains to be seen, but this coming together has undoubtedly sent a shockwave amongst policymakers and consumers alike.
