AI-Generated Music Spurs Legal Transparency Demands
The rise of AI-generated band Velvet Sundown ignites calls for transparency in music labeling.
Key Points
- • The Velvet Sundown achieved over 1 million Spotify streams and later confirmed they are AI-generated.
- • Industry advocates seek legal obligations for labeling AI-generated music for transparency.
- • Concerns about independent artists being exploited by AI are highlighted by industry leaders.
- • Deezer labels AI-generated tracks, whereas Spotify currently does not.
The rise of the AI-generated band Velvet Sundown, which recently surpassed one million streams on Spotify, has stirred significant concerns regarding transparency in the music industry. Initially, Velvet Sundown denied being spawned from artificial intelligence, but eventually confirmed their AI origins, generating discussions about the implications for musical authenticity and authorship as they presented music, visuals, and an entire backstory that blur the lines between human and machine creativity.
Industry professionals are advocating for legal measures to ensure that listeners are adequately informed about AI-generated content. Roberto Neri, CEO of the Ivors Academy, has voiced apprehensions about AI acts like Velvet Sundown, emphasizing that they bypass human creators—raising questions about authorship and consent. He argues for robust frameworks to secure fair compensation for human artists.
Sophie Jones of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) echoed these sentiments, calling for clear labeling of AI-generated music to safeguard the rights of musicians. Conversely, Deezer has proactively implemented tagging for AI-generated tracks while Spotify currently lacks such disclosures, prompting criticism for its role in not providing transparency.
The ethical and legal ramifications extend to potential exploitation of independent artists, a concern raised by Liz Pelly, who noted the risk that artists' work might be used to train AI systems without their consent. As the industry navigates these complexities, the demand for transparency and ethical practices surrounding AI-generated music continues to grow.
In this evolving landscape, the Velvet Sundown phenomenon represents a pivotal moment where the intersection of technology and art raises urgent questions about the future of creative expression and the necessity of clear regulations.