As AI continues to infiltrate various artistic domains, there is a growing consensus among artists that action needs to be taken before irreversible damage is done. From AI-generated fake Drake songs to stylized Instagram profile pictures, art created using increasingly sophisticated AI tools has become widespread, sparking discussions on how to regulate this technology to protect creative communities.
Recently, digital rights organization Fight for the Future joined forces with the music industry labor group United Musicians and Allied Workers to launch the #AIdayofaction campaign. This initiative calls on Congress to prohibit corporations from obtaining copyrights on AI-generated music and other forms of art. The goal is to compel industry giants, such as major record labels, to involve human creators in the creative process. Similar concerns and potential strategies for addressing the AI impact exist across different creative fields.
Lia Holland, Campaigns and Communications Director at Fight for the Future, highlighted the importance of uniting artists across various mediums to amplify their influence. By doing so, they can collectively address common concerns about AI’s role in the creative process.
While the campaign aims to prevent corporate misuse of AI, it acknowledges the potential individual benefits for musicians and other creatives who automate certain aspects of their work. The objective is for AI tools to empower individual artists to earn more, work less, and compete with profit-driven corporations.
Holland noted that musicians, in particular, have been more receptive to AI technology, as they are familiar with music production software and AI tools like MIDI drum loops, which enhance music production. However, the integration of AI in the creative process is a complex issue. Musicians fear industry giants monopolizing AI-generated music through copyright, while major record labels worry about AI models training on their music catalog and cutting into their profits. Platforms like Spotify have introduced AI-powered features, such as AI DJs, which raise questions about the role of AI in the music industry.
Universal Music Group expressed concerns about AI-generated music imitating their artists and called on stakeholders to decide whether they support artists’ rights or enable deepfakes and artist compensation denial.
These discussions and contradictions are prevalent in various creative industries, but artists often lack representation. Independent artists, in particular, have found strength in collaborating across disciplines to combat the exploitation of their work, as described by Holland.
In a roundtable hosted by the FTC, representatives from diverse creative industries, including voice acting, science fiction, screenwriting, music, illustration, and fashion, discussed the impact of generative AI on creatives. FTC Chair Lina Khan acknowledged the concerns about how AI could disempower creators and called for regulatory measures. Participants highlighted issues related to opt-out requirements for AI model training and the need for updates to copyright laws to safeguard artists’ interests.
While the outcome of Congressional action remains uncertain, the FTC is actively engaged in addressing the risks associated with AI in creative industries. FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter emphasized the irreplaceable role of humans in art, asserting that technology, no matter how intelligent, cannot replace human creativity.
