Over 200 high-profile musicians have signed an open letter calling for artificial intelligence (AI) not to be used in music. The letter, titled ‘Stop devaluing music’ by non-profit organization Artist Rights Alliance, highlights the riske of the “predatory” use of AI in music. Signatories include industry prominents Billie Eilish and Stevie Wonder. They argue that developers, technology companies, and digital music services should “pledge that they will not develop or deploy AI music-generation technology, content, or tools that undermine or replace the human artistry of songwriters and artists or deny us fair compensation for our work.”
The letter cites the fact that some companies are using artists’ songs to train their AI models without permission. The subsequent AI-created “sounds” and “images” dilute the royalty pools and could pose a catastrophic risk for those working in the industry. The letter emphasizes the potentially enormous potential of AI but states that when used irresponsibly it can undervalue human creativity in songwriting.
Other prominent musicians that have joined the crusade against AI in music include Robert Smith from The Cure, Norah Jones, and R.E.M. ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus previously warned that lots of creative industries are under threat from AI, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor had to warn fans about a potential scam involving her music. This letter also comes after a new act was recently approved in Tennessee to protect musicians from AI deepfakes.
The call to action attracted BTS‘ label HYBE, along with the estates of Frank Sinatra and Bob Marley and many others. The topic of AI’s growing impact on the entertainment industry continues to be the subject of much debate in recent years and is likely to remain so as tech and music industries continue to converge
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