The music industry’s biggest record labels are figuring out how to respond to the rise of AI.
When Universal Music Group (UMG) removed songs from TikTok on February 1, citing concerns that artists were not protected from artificial intelligence, the question of whether to embrace, fight, or fight this new technology? This sparked a debate across the industry. both.
TikTok “allows AI-generated recordings to flood its platform” while demanding contractual rights that could “significantly dilute the royalty pool for human artists.” Universal said in a letter announcing the decision.
Universal’s biggest rivals, Warner Music (WMG) and Sony (SONY), have so far stayed on the sidelines in the dispute. Earlier this month, Warner CEO Robert Kinkle called his company’s licensing agreement with TikTok “difficult” but “fair.”
Investors will likely hear the latest on the TikTok feud on Wednesday, when Universal is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter 2023 financial results.
The development of this debate has huge implications for music giants, as the companies behind artists from Taylor Swift to Drake grapple with the same AI dilemmas currently disrupting other creative industries. will have a significant impact.
Music artists are increasingly concerned that they have little protection against having their names, likenesses, and voices used without their permission to create AI-generated songs.
Some people have already had their voices copied without their permission, and deceased artists have had their voices recreated without the involvement of their families.
Country singer Laney Wilson said: “I can’t tell you how upset I am to have my name, likeness and voice taken away and used in ways I can’t even imagine and would never tolerate.” ” he said. On-site hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on February 2nd.
“That’s wrong.”
“Ethical and non-harmful”
As the industry prepares for the biggest night of the year, the Grammy Awards, Wilson voiced his concerns in Los Angeles.
“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,” she said. He spoke to the members of Congress gathered across the street. Two days later, it won the award for Best Country Album.
The singer supported ongoing efforts in Washington to address some of his concerns. Last month, lawmakers introduced a new House bill called the Artificial Intelligence-Induced Counterfeit Replica and Unauthorized Reproduction Act, or the AI Fraud Act, which aims to establish a framework to protect an individual’s voice and likeness at the federal level. submitted.
“Are we actually rewarding intellectual property creators enough?” said Rep. Darrell Issa, R-S.C., chairman of the House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. California) said this at the hearing.
“Under AI, it is important that the development of technology is ethical, non-toxic, and uniform across the United States.”
Harvey Mason Jr., chief executive of the Recording Academy, which is responsible for the Grammy Awards, said the bill had been “long overdue,” but acknowledged the opportunities AI presents for the industry.
“This technology allows us to be more productive, create things that have never been heard or thought of before, and give artists a voice,” Mason told Yahoo Finance in a separate interview. Told. ”[But,] Regulation and legislation are needed to ensure the protection of human creators. ”
Malik Yousef, a music producer and director who has worked with the likes of Kanye West and Jennifer Hudson, said he believes the bill has holes and needs to be strengthened. If an AI version of an artist’s voice or likeness is created, copyright should automatically be vested in the artist, he said.
“It should be owned by the artist and they should be able to use it as much as they want,” he said.
“TikTok wasn’t easy”
For now, Universal remains isolated in its battle with TikTok, which calls the label’s move “sad and unfortunate” and claims it has “artist-first” agreements with Universal’s rivals. It’s repulsive.
Warner Music’s CEO said he was confident Universal and TikTok would work things out.
“Using TikTok hasn’t been easy,” Kyncl said during the company’s latest earnings call, referring to his deal with the platform.
“I think it was very difficult too. But we got there. And it was fair for us. But that was a year ago and also a different time. So we don’t know what is driving Universal’s position, but there is a way for all of us to help them, and we will do so.”
Prinz Bode, producer and songwriter for the Black Eyed Peas and now owner of the music and film production company Beats & Produce, says if all labels removed their music from TikTok, they would lose their power. It is possible to get it back.
“If Sony, Warner Bros., Atlantic, all these labels can start doing that and say, okay, we’re going to take this back and put the power in our own hands, then we’re really good at it. “I think it’s going to be a ‘place,'” he said.
But Bode isn’t worried about AI taking away his job.
“Maybe I’m in the minority, but I’m a creative and I also feel that creative people have an endless stock of ideas and never really go broke,” he said. “If you want to turn my song into an AI song, I’ll use your samples of my song to recreate a new song. That might be a good idea.”
Other industry players claim this could be a songwriting aid.
Justin Tranter, founder of the record label Facet House and a Grammy-nominated songwriter who has written songs for Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, said, “At this point, we’re not seeing the arrival of AI.” “We must accept that AI is going to change our industry.”
“We have to learn how to make it a tool, we have to learn how to make it a friend of songwriters, friends of artists, producers of artists. If we don’t, it makes us all… It will only kill you.”
Lance Dopson, who has worked as a music director for stars from Beyoncé to Jay-Z to Jennifer Lopez, and has also worked as a film score producer, says he still needs a team of humans to produce new work.
“We have to do it right. We have to create a model that makes sense for everyone, not just taking away jobs, but also making people part of the intellectual property,” Dopson said. says Mr. That might work. ”
For the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis of price-moving events, click here.
Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
