World News for Students of English

05-03-2025 07:00

Many famous musicians, like Annie Lennox and Kate Bush, are protesting against new UK copyright rules.

They made a silent album with 12 tracks that only have studio noise. This is to show how music could disappear if AI companies use artists’ work without permission.

The new rules would let AI companies use songs from the internet unless artists say no. Musicians worry that AI-generated music will replace them and take their jobs. Ed Newton-Rex, the organizer of the protest, believes the government is giving away artists’ work for free. He says that the current copyright law is good enough, and there is no need to change it.

Musicians in the US also have problems with AI using their work. Many people want the UK to keep protecting artists.

Difficult words: copyright (the legal right to publish, print, or record artistic or musical material), silent (not making any sound), permission (officially allowing someone to do something).

You can watch the original video in the Level 3 section.