There are worries about how artificial intelligence (AI) could negatively impact the music industry. A UK parliamentary committee wants the government to stop AI companies from hurting musicians’ businesses.
The main concerns are:
- Musicians not being credited for their work
- Deepfake AI recreations of artists like Drake and Taylor Swift
What’s the Big Deal With AI Music?
- Music is about human creativity and emotion
- AI can “rip off” artists’ work without permission
- AI creates new songs by studying existing ones
- Fans may not realize AI, not the real artist, generated the music
- It’s deceptive if AI music is presented as new material from beloved artists
“Music needs to be clearly labeled where AI is involved so music lovers know that,” says Vincent Moss from UK Music. Consumers deserve to know what they’re listening to.
How Can This Be Addressed?
According to Moss, legislators need to step in with rules and laws. A “UK AI Act” could:
- Require disclosure when AI is used to create music
- Prevent unconsented use of artists’ name, voice, or likeness
- Protect musicians’ ability to earn a living from their work
“We need legislators to grasp the good things about AI but introduce some guardrails so that people who work hard…are properly protected,” Moss stated.
Are There Benefits of AI in Music?
While there are concerns, AI could also help the industry in some ways:
- Identifying pirated music
- Cleaning up or enhancing old recordings
- Allowing artists to experiment by using AI as a tool
However, this should only be done with the musicians’ full consent.
The Bottom Line
The UK music industry wants action to prevent AI companies from exploiting artists. At the same time, they’re open to using AI responsibly and ethically when it benefits artists. Clear rules are needed to balance innovation with fair protection for creators.
What do you think about using AI to generate music or recreate artists’ voices and likenesses? Should there be limits, and if so, what?
