BRIT Awards stars back Make It Fair campaign against government’s AI Proposals

Music stars including Myles Smith, Lola Young, Rachel Chinouriri and The Last Dinner Party have all thrown their weight behind the Make It Fair campaign to protest against government proposals on AI and copyright.

The music campaign, launched by recorded music association BPI, is the latest step in the Make It Fair campaign after last week saw 1000 artists contribute to a silent album protesting government plan.

The album, titled Is This What We Want?, features recordings of empty music studios and performance spaces. Over 1,000 artists are credited as co-writers on the 12 silent songs.

Under new proposals, AI developers will be permitted to use creators’ content on the internet to help develop their models, unless the rights holders elect to “opt out”.

In addition to artists joining the campaign on the BRIT Awards red carpet at the weekend, students at The BRIT School, the free to attend performing and creative arts school in Croydon, posed for a powerful photo moment with the Is This What We Want? album. 

Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, said: “This campaign’s message to the Government is clear: don’t let AI steal our music. Thousands of Britain’s most beloved artists and creators have already spoken out against the proposed weakening of copyright law, which would have a devastating impact on the UK’s world-leading creative industries.

“We greatly value the artists and students who added their powerful voices to the campaign over the weekend. They represent the incredible human creativity that exists all across the UK and is so vital to protect.”

Saturday’s show also saw Myles Smith and The Last Dinner Party use their winner’s speeches to call for action from the government.

“Tonight while I have the attention of the nation and this award, I want to ask three questions. My first is to the government. If British music is one of the most powerful cultural exports we have, why have you treated it like an afterthought for so many years,” Smith said.

“How many more venues need to close and how many more music programs need to be cut before we realise that we can’t just celebrate success, you have to protect the foundations that make it. My second is to the biggest venues in the country and around the world. If the artists selling out your arenas and your stadiums started in grassroots venues, what are you doing to keep them alive?

“My third is to the industry, the execs in the room and the people behind the scenes. Are we building careers or are we just chasing moments because moments fade and careers take time so please stick with artists past their first viral hit, past their first tour. It really matters.”