Kate Bush Imogen Heap, Damon Albarn and Hundreds of Artists Release Silent Album to Protest UK Copyright Laws Involving AI

Mar. 15, 2025

Kate Bush; Imogen Heap; Damon Albarn.Photo:Angelo Deligio\Mondadori via Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty; Cindy Ord/Getty

Angelo Deligio\Mondadori via Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty; Cindy Ord/Getty

Kate Bush’s first album in 14 years is here — but there’s a twist.On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the"Running Up That Hill"singer, along withImogen Heap, Blur’sDamon Albarnand hundreds of other musicians released a silent album in protest of AI using their work following a proposed change to the UK’s copyright laws.The 47-minute-long album, titledIs This What We Want?consists of 12 track listings, which reads, “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.” The goal is to demonstrate the impact these laws would have on musicians in the UK.Perthe BBC, the copyright laws would make it easier for artificial intelligence companies to use copyrighted work for training along with text and data mining without a license.The proposed changes would give artists the option to opt out. However, for artists to individually notify companies about their consent or lack thereof seems unrealistic, according to critics of the proposal.Imogen Heap in Los Angeles in January 2020.Timothy Norris/GettyOther artists featuredon the album include Billy Ocean, The Clash, Jamiroquai, Ed O’Brien of Radiohead, Bastille’s Dan Smith and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.“More than 1,000 musicians and groups have come together to releaseIs This What You Want?, an album protesting the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law,” the1,000 UK ArtistsSpotify page reads.Damon Alburn at Glastonbury in June 2024.Matt Cardy/Getty"In late 2024, the UK government proposed changing copyright law to allow artificial intelligence companies to build their products using other people’s copyrighted work - music, artworks, text, and more - without a license.““The musicians on this album came together to protest this,” the description continued. “The album consists of recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, representing the impact the combined musicians expect the government’s proposals would have on musicians’ livelihoods.“A representative for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) shared in a statement via the BBC that the UK’s “current regime for copyright and AI is holding back the creative industries, media and AI sector from realizing their full potential - and that cannot continue.“This is why they explored “a new approach that protects the interests of both AI developers and right holders.“Kate Bush in 1985.ZIK Images/United Archives via Getty ImagesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The DSIT added that no decisions had been made and that “no moves will be made until we are absolutely confident we have a practical plan that delivers each of our objectives.“Artists such asPaul McCartney,Dua Lipa, Andrew Lloyd Weber,StingandEd Sheeranhave also been vocal about AI’s invading “the creative sector” in a letter toThe Times UK.Profits from the album will be donated to theHelp Musicianscharity.

Kate Bush’s first album in 14 years is here — but there’s a twist.

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the"Running Up That Hill"singer, along withImogen Heap, Blur’sDamon Albarnand hundreds of other musicians released a silent album in protest of AI using their work following a proposed change to the UK’s copyright laws.

The 47-minute-long album, titledIs This What We Want?consists of 12 track listings, which reads, “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.” The goal is to demonstrate the impact these laws would have on musicians in the UK.

Perthe BBC, the copyright laws would make it easier for artificial intelligence companies to use copyrighted work for training along with text and data mining without a license.

The proposed changes would give artists the option to opt out. However, for artists to individually notify companies about their consent or lack thereof seems unrealistic, according to critics of the proposal.

Imogen Heap in Los Angeles in January 2020.Timothy Norris/Getty

Timothy Norris/Getty

Other artists featuredon the album include Billy Ocean, The Clash, Jamiroquai, Ed O’Brien of Radiohead, Bastille’s Dan Smith and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

“More than 1,000 musicians and groups have come together to releaseIs This What You Want?, an album protesting the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law,” the1,000 UK ArtistsSpotify page reads.

Damon Alburn at Glastonbury in June 2024.Matt Cardy/Getty

Matt Cardy/Getty

“In late 2024, the UK government proposed changing copyright law to allow artificial intelligence companies to build their products using other people’s copyrighted work - music, artworks, text, and more - without a license.”

“The musicians on this album came together to protest this,” the description continued. “The album consists of recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, representing the impact the combined musicians expect the government’s proposals would have on musicians’ livelihoods.”

A representative for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) shared in a statement via the BBC that the UK’s “current regime for copyright and AI is holding back the creative industries, media and AI sector from realizing their full potential - and that cannot continue.”

This is why they explored “a new approach that protects the interests of both AI developers and right holders.”

Kate Bush in 1985.ZIK Images/United Archives via Getty Images

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The DSIT added that no decisions had been made and that “no moves will be made until we are absolutely confident we have a practical plan that delivers each of our objectives.”

Artists such asPaul McCartney,Dua Lipa, Andrew Lloyd Weber,StingandEd Sheeranhave also been vocal about AI’s invading “the creative sector” in a letter toThe Times UK.

Profits from the album will be donated to theHelp Musicianscharity.

source: people.com