On Friday, CMA Entertainer of the Year Laney Wilson testified before Congress about the dangers of misuse of artificial intelligence in the music industry.
Wilson’s testimony took place before the House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet in downtown Los Angeles, along with a panel of AI experts from the entertainment industry and companies at the forefront of AI innovation.
Wilson, the “Heart Like a Truck” and “Watermelon Moonshine” singer, said that when AI-generated content is misused, an artist’s voice can be manipulated to create lyrics they never wrote. He said there is a possibility that he will sing a song. Additionally, musicians’ likenesses can be used in unethical ways, such as performing in questionable environments, promoting products, and spreading misinformation.
”“I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to have your name, likeness and voice taken away and used in ways you can’t even imagine or should ever tolerate,” Wilson said. Concise and simple. “
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“This is a personal violation of a person’s dignity and can jeopardize everything that person has worked hard to achieve,” she said. “Artists’ voices and likenesses are their property and should not be deferred to the financial interests of companies that do not invest in or partner with them.”
Wilson continued, “There are not many things in life that we can control, but making decisions about how we use ourselves and our own unique qualities should be one of them.
“While I am excited about the many ways that artificial intelligence can be used to help people, I am concerned about how it can be used to disenfranchise individuals.”
“I use my music and voice to tell stories, connect with my fans, and help them connect with each other,” Wilson said. “My art is literally me, my name, my likeness, my voice.”
Wilson has expressed support for protecting AI in the past, attending a press conference in Nashville in January supporting Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s ELVIS Act. . The proposed bill would protect Tennessee musicians from deepfakes with criminal enforcement and also allow license holders to file civil lawsuits.
Last summer, Wilson found herself the victim of an AI deepfake. She told parliament that her AI-generated likeness of herself was being used to promote weight loss gummies. She has never promoted such products.
“I have a lot of little kids looking up to me, a lot of little girls, a lot of little boys, and I encourage them to feel comfortable with who they are and to love themselves. I want to. And I would never in a million years do that. ‘Never do something like that,'” Wilson said.
“But at the end of the day, people have to ‘see it to believe it.’ Well, they’ve seen it and they believe it.”
Wilson points out that the ethical use of AI, which keeps artists informed along the way, comes down to communication and consent. “Some creators are fine with having their voice or likeness used on AI platforms, while others are not. Importantly, it should be their choice and AI It’s not a choice that the cloning company makes for them.”
Rainie Wilson says AI will affect everyone, not just artists
In Wilson’s testimony, she pointed out that music artists are not the only ones at the mercy of AI-generated caricatures. All of them.
“It’s not just the artists who need protection, but the fans too,” she said. “This is just what a high school girl needs after experiencing life-changing deepfake porn with her own face.
“For the elderly who were persuaded to hand over their life savings to a voice clone of a grandchild in need, AI is increasingly impacting each of us, and we must take action to ensure these tools are used.” We are very grateful that you are considering doing this in a responsible manner. ”
Last month, a series of AI-generated pornographic images of Taylor Swift surfaced on the internet. The incident prompted senators to introduce a bill that would make non-consensual sexual deepfakes illegal.
“There could be dozens of pieces rolled into one big bill,” said California Rep. Darrell Issa. They will address various elements of AI-related “rights and remedies for the people who make things that make our lives better.”
