Towards the end of 2024, the British government put forward a proposal for a new law. According to it, technology companies will be able to use artistic works without the consent of their creators to train AI models. Musicians quickly reacted to the unfavorable situation and decidide to protest by releasing the album ‘Is This What We Want’ in February 2025.
The album is a direct response by over 1,000 musicians to the proposed change in copyright law, which allows technology companies to access their work for free, leaving them only with the option to freely opt-out at any time. This model comes controversial from the point of view of compensation for the use of the work, or rather, the lack thereof, and the fact that a work, once ‘ingested’ by the AI, will remain in it forever. Therefore, the request for an opt-out will need to be submitted as early as possible, and even then, it does not guarantee 100% effective protection.
The ‘Is This What We Want’ vinyl is an extended version of the album featuring a track by Paul McCartney. It contains a total of 13 tracks, each of which represents symbolic silence – a sign that disrespecting musicians’ work will lead to devastation in the profession. The bonus track was recorded in the artist’s studio. Among the artists collaborating on the protest project, we can find well-known musicians such as Kate Bush, Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Hans Zimmer, Jamiroquai, and New Order.
The return of the album with the vinyl version emphasizes that the artists do not intend to give up. The vinyl record will be released on 8 December in a limited edition of 1,000 copies at a price of £28, with all proceeds going to Help Musicians, a charity supporting musicians.
photo source: http://www.isthiswhatwewant.com
