AI & Music


AI'S IMPACT ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY: THE CALL FOR ROBUST REGULATIONS
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology advances, its effects on various economic sectors, including the music industry, are becoming increasingly significant. Recent developments have sparked concerns over how AI impacts the quality and value of creative works, mainly through AI-generated content.
AI and creative works at the crossroads and the influence of AI on the music industry has swiftly become a pressing issue, particularly with the emergence of AI-generated vocals. For instance, AI technology has birthed vocal renditions that mimic famous singers, such as Dayang Nurfaizah singing songs by Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, including “Bicara Manis Menghiris Kalbu” and “Kurniaan Dalam Samaran.” These AI-generated tracks surface on platforms like YouTube without proper authorisation from the original song creators, publishers, performers or recording companies. This raises concerns as such unauthorised content can generate income that benefits the uploaders, bypassing the rightful rightsholders.
There is a growing call for legislative measures to protect copyright and regulate the development of AI technology in Malaysia. The government is actively reviewing various AI-related issues. However, significant progress is still required, and implementing solutions will be lengthy to ensure all interests are adequately addressed.
On an international level, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) has underscored the urgent need for policy action. In an open letter CISAC highlights creators and performers’ rights must be upheld and protected when exploited by AI system. Creators’ works are being used to train AI systems without their consent or compensation. They advocate for policies ensuring that AI systems operate transparently, ethically, and legally. CISAC emphasises that creators should have the right to approve or deny the use of their works, receive compensation, and be recognised when their creations are utilised by AI. They also stress the importance of licensing and tracking the use of works by AI to reinforce transparency, and ensure accountability.
A recent study by Goldmedia, surveying over 15,000 creators and publishers from SACEM (France) and GEMA (Germany), reveals several critical issues. Creators are concerned about fair remuneration when their works are used by AI to generate revenue. The study shows that 71% of respondents believe AI will adversely affect their income and threaten their future. Although 35% of creators have already incorporated AI into their works, with half of the percentage is under 35, 64% feel that the risks outweigh the benefits. These concerns highlight the pressing need for stringent regulations to safeguard copyright, with 95% of creators and publishers calling for greater transparency from AI companies and 93% urging policymakers to focus more on AI and copyright issues.
Additionally, legal precedents in the U.S. illustrate the on-going debates around AI and authorship. In a 2022 case reported by Smithsonian Magazine, the U.S. Copyright Office ruled that an image created by an AI system “lacks the human authorship necessary to support a copyright claim.” This raises further questions about AI’s role in music creation and its implication for copyright law.
In conclusion, while AI holds immense potential to benefit creators and creative sectors, sensible and practical regulations are crucial to harnessing this potential while protecting human creativity and creators’ rights. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is essential to establish rules that safeguard the interests of creators and ensure fair practices in this rapidly changing landscape. Since AI is here – it is time for us to compose rules.
MACP is working closely with CISAC to tackle the challenges AI poses to local music creators. We actively engage in discussions and invite Malaysian music creators to join the AI Coffee Chat with Benjamin Ng, CISAC Asia-Pacific Director, on 14th August 2024 at Me.Reka, Publika, Kuala Lumpur. This event will focus on the intersection of AI and the music industry.