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## McCartney’s New Stance on Music and AI

While Paul McCartney is not typically known for politically charged songs—aside from the occasional track like the 1972 release “Give Ireland Back to the Irish”—he is now taking a stand against copyright infringement driven by AI tech. This shift marks a new chapter for the legendary musician as part of a broader protest within the music industry.

### Purpose of the Project

The album *Is This What We Want?*, which debuted this past February, was a unique artistic endeavor. Rather than featuring traditional songs or vocals, it consisted solely of background noise recorded in studios. This creative choice aimed to spotlight the potential exploitation of music and other art forms by AI companies, fueled by imminent changes to U.K. copyright regulations. According to the organizers, the silence in the album serves as a metaphor for “the impact we expect the government’s proposals would have on musicians’ livelihoods.”

### McCartney’s Contribution

As part of the album’s upcoming vinyl release on December 8, McCartney has added a new piece titled “Bonus Track,” which is an intriguing 2 minutes and 45 seconds of silence. This addition further emphasizes the collective message against the misuse of music rights by AI corporations.

### Reflecting on AI’s Impact

In a discussion with the BBC, McCartney expressed his deep concerns regarding AI’s infiltration into the music landscape. He highlighted how emerging artists often create remarkable songs yet retain no ownership rights. “You get young guys and girls coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it,” he noted. His frustration is rooted in the idea that while tech giants may reap the financial benefits from streaming platforms, the actual creators of the music are left out in the cold.

### A Unified Message

Each track on the digital version of *Is This What We Want?* features a single-word title, collectively spelling out a potent message: “The British Government Must Not Legalize Music Theft to Benefit AI Companies.” The album boasts contributions from a range of iconic musicians, including The Clash, Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Tori Amos, and Damon Albarn, among others. Notably, proceeds will be directed to Help Musicians, a charity dedicated to supporting artists in need.

As the conversation about copyright and AI evolves, how do you see the future of music and artists’ rights unfolding?