Musicians Rally for Stronger AI Music Protection Measures

The TDR Three Takeaways on AI Music:

1. Musicians seek AI music protection amid rising concerns over creative rights and AI’s impact.
2. David Guetta and Suno AI highlight AI’s potential for innovation in music production.
3. Balancing AI’s benefits with protecting artists’ rights is crucial for the industry’s future.

This year, the music industry has found itself at a crossroads, facing a technological evolution that threatens to redefine the very essence of creativity and copyright. High-profile musicians, including Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, and Stevie Wonder, have raised their voices for AI music protection, signaling a growing unrest amongst artists regarding the unchecked proliferation of artificial intelligence in music production. This collective call for action underlines a critical need for a balance between innovation and the preservation of human artistry.

David Guetta presents an alternative perspective, underscoring the potential of artificial intelligence as a revolutionary tool in the music industry. Named producer of the year at the Brits 2023, Guetta has explored AI’s capabilities firsthand, using it to create an Eminem-style vocal for a live show—an experiment he describes as surprisingly successful. While Guetta has no plans to release the track commercially, his experimentation with AI highlights a broader argument: every significant musical innovation has stemmed from technological advancements, from the electric guitar to digital samplers. Guetta’s viewpoint suggests that AI, rather than being a threat to creativity, could usher in a new era of musical styles and sounds, driven by the unique capabilities of artificial intelligence. In addition to David Guetta,  artists like Grimes embrace AI for its potential to democratize music production and foster creativity.

Suno AI, a startup focused on generative AI for music, showcases a striking vision for the future of music production, where technology and creativity merge to break new ground. By leveraging AI models in collaboration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT for lyric generation, Suno has crafted pieces like “Soul of the Machine,” demonstrating an ability to produce music that not only sounds human but also carries emotional weight, all from simple text prompts. This innovation has sparked both awe and existential questions within the industry, highlighting the complexities of AI’s role in creative processes. Suno’s ambition extends beyond mere technology; it envisions a future where music creation is democratized, allowing anyone with an idea to produce music, potentially transforming millions of music listeners into music creators. Suno’s approach, emphasizing respect for artists and intellectual property while pushing the boundaries of music production while respecting artists’ ownership rights of their content.

Legislation like Tennessee’s “Elvis Act” represents a significant step towards providing artists with legal protection against unauthorized AI-generated reproductions. Yet, the act falls short of addressing more complex issues, such as the use of artists’ works to train AI models without permission. The lawsuits filed against tech companies like OpenAI for such practices underscore the legal and ethical issue that the music industry must navigate.

This year, the music industry is at a critical juncture with the rise of artificial intelligence in music production. Musicians like Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, and Stevie Wonder advocate for AI music protection, highlighting concerns over AI’s impact on creativity and copyright. In contrast, artists such as David Guetta and startups like Suno AI see AI as a tool for innovation and democratization in music creation. The challenge now is to balance these perspectives—embracing AI’s potential while ensuring artists’ rights are protected. Want to keep up to date with all of TDR’s research and news, subscribe to our daily Baked In newsletter.