Over two hundred recording artists from all age groups and genres have penned an open letter criticizing the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music business.
The non-profit Artist Rights Alliance put it together, and a number of well-known musicians signed it, including the estates of Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra, as well as Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, Miranda Lambert, Imagine Dragons, Ja Rule, Julia Michaels, Kim Petras, Nicki Minaj, Pearl Jam, R.E.M. Sam Smith, Smokey Robinson, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, and Zayn Malik.
The letter warns against deepfakes and cloning, which are becoming serious problems, and calls on industry leaders to “stop the use of AI to infringe on and devalue human artists.” The group claims that technology will continue to advance, but it needs safeguards against specific uses of AI.
Additionally, it says that “irresponsible applications of AI” can result in lower royalties for artists. The letter states, “This would be terrible for many struggling musicians, artists, and composers who are just trying to make ends meet.”
“We think AI has a huge potential to boost human creativity in a way that promotes the creation and evolution of new experiences for music lovers globally, when used responsibly,” the statement reads. “Unfortunately, some developers and platforms are using AI to harm artists, composers, musicians, and rightsholders and hinder creation.”
“If left unchecked, artificial intelligence will initiate a downward spiral that will diminish the significance of human labor and impede us from receiving just compensation for it,” the letter adds. “We must defend against the rapacious use of AI to appropriate the voices and likenesses of professional musicians, infringe upon the rights of creators, and devastate the industry.”
The letter is released at a time when discussions over AI usage in the entertainment business, including music, television, and cinema, are still ongoing. The union members’ demand for job protection as AI usage rose was a contributing factor in the strikes by actors and writers that occurred last year.
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