Over 200 artists, including Stevie Wonder, Miranda Lambert, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Peter Frampton, Katy Perry, Smokey Robinson, and J Balvin, have signed an open letter urging artificial intelligence tech companies, developers, platforms, digital music services, and platforms to stop using AI in ways that infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists. The letter was released by the Artist Rights Alliance, a nonprofit organization that advocates for musicians in the digital economy. It acknowledges the creative potential of AI technology but raises concerns about its ability to use existing work without permissions to replace artists and reduce royalty payouts.
The letter emphasizes the need to protect human creativity and prevent the predatory use of AI to steal artists’ voices and likenesses, violate creators’ rights, and disrupt the music ecosystem. The artists signing the letter stress the importance of safeguarding against the negative impacts of AI on the music industry and maintaining the integrity of artists’ work. The full text of the letter is available for further reading.
In a recent development, Tennessee passed legislation to protect songwriters, performers, and other music industry professionals from potential risks associated with artificial intelligence. The bill, known as the Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act or “ELVIS Act,” aims to prevent generative AI tools from replicating an artist’s voice without their consent. Supporters of the legislation assert that artists possess unique gifts and intellectual property that should not be exploited by artificial intelligence.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee highlighted the significance of the music industry in the state, noting that it employs more people there than in any other state. He emphasized the importance of protecting artists’ individuality and creativity from unauthorized use by AI technologies. The ELVIS Act will come into effect on July 1, marking a significant step towards safeguarding artists’ rights and ensuring that they maintain control over their artistic expression.
The open letter from over 200 artists reflects the growing concerns within the music industry about the impact of artificial intelligence on artistic expression and intellectual property. As technology continues to advance, artists are increasingly facing challenges in protecting their work from unauthorized use and infringement by AI systems. The collaboration between artists, organizations like the Artist Rights Alliance, and policymakers in enacting legislation such as the ELVIS Act demonstrates a collective effort to address these challenges and safeguard the rights of artists in the digital age.
Moving forward, it will be crucial for stakeholders in the music industry to continue advocating for the protection of artists’ rights and promoting ethical practices in the use of artificial intelligence. By raising awareness about the potential risks posed by AI technologies and advocating for regulations that uphold artists’ rights, the industry can work towards ensuring a fair and sustainable environment for creativity and collaboration. The efforts of artists, organizations, and policymakers in addressing these issues are essential in preserving the integrity and value of human artistic expression in the face of technological advancements.
