In a groundbreaking move, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee unveiled plans to propose a bill aimed at safeguarding musicians and songwriters from the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). If passed, this legislation would make Tennessee the first state in the country to adopt such comprehensive protections.
The proposed bill, known as the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, seeks to address the rising concern of “deepfakes” and unauthorized use of AI-generated content in the music industry. These deepfakes can imitate an artist’s voice, replicate their musical style, and even create entirely new compositions. Lee emphasized the need to protect artists, stating that technology should not be used to “steal an artist’s gifting, their voice, their likeness.”
The ELVIS Act, which will add artists’ voices to the state’s Protection of Personal Rights law, has gained significant support from various industry groups. The Academy of Country Music, American Association of Independent Music, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), among many others, have shown their endorsement for this groundbreaking legislation.
While specifics of the bill are yet to be released, Lee envisions the legislation being enforced both criminally, as a Class A misdemeanor, and through civil lawsuits for damages. The proposal also highlights the collaboration between Tennessee lawmakers and their counterparts in Congress, such as Senator Marsha Blackburn, who are working towards similar protections at the federal level.
The introduction of this bill reflects the importance of the music industry in Tennessee, which provides more than 61,617 jobs and contributes $5.8 billion to the state’s GDP. With the ever-advancing capabilities of AI, it is crucial to establish safeguards that preserve the authenticity and creative content of artists.
As the music industry continues to grapple with the implications of AI technology, Tennessee’s pioneering efforts could serve as a blueprint for other states and even the federal government. By addressing the challenges posed by AI-generated content head-on, this legislation aims to protect the rights of musicians, songwriters, and all those involved in the music industry, ensuring a vibrant and authentic artistic landscape for years to come.