Katy Perry and Miranda Lambert, along with over 200 other musicians, have joined forces to speak out for musicians’ rights in the face of expanding artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In an open letter submitted by the Artist Rights Alliance, these artists are calling on AI developers, technology companies, platforms, and digital music services to respect and protect the rights of human artists.
The letter highlights the potential dangers of AI when used irresponsibly, stating that it poses threats to privacy, identities, music, and livelihoods. The artists are concerned that AI technology is being used to replace human artists with AI-created content, which could significantly impact royalty payments and the livelihoods of working musicians.
Names on the list of signatories include Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Nicki Minaj, Frank Sinatra’s estate, Mumford & Sons, Imagine Dragons, and more. The Artists Rights Alliance is part of the Human Artistry Campaign, which recently celebrated the signing of the ELVIS Act in Tennessee, a bipartisan bill that aims to protect artists’ voices and likenesses from unauthorized use.
Luke Bryan, who attended the signing of the ELVIS Act, praised the legislation for setting a precedent in protecting artists’ rights in Tennessee. The ELVIS Act adds vocal likeness to the list of protected rights in the state, ensuring that individuals cannot use an artist’s voice without permission.
The letter from the artists calls on AI developers and tech companies to pledge not to develop or deploy AI music-generation technology that undermines or replaces human artistry. The goal is to ensure fair compensation for artists and protect against the predatory use of AI in the music industry.
Overall, the artists are advocating for responsible use of AI technology to advance human creativity while protecting the rights and livelihoods of musicians. The letter serves as a powerful call to action for the industry to prioritize the rights and well-being of artists in the digital age.
