In a groundbreaking move, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has unveiled new legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of musicians and creators in the face of artificial intelligence (AI) threats. Tennessee is set to become the first state in the nation to enact such protective measures, setting an example for other states to follow.
Recognizing the growing concern over the impact of AI on various industries, including the music industry, lawmakers at both state and federal levels have been prompted to take action. While specific details of the bill have not been made public yet, Governor Lee delivered a powerful speech at the historic RCA Studio A in Nashville, highlighting the necessity of ensuring that AI technology cannot replicate an artist’s voice without their explicit consent.
Governor Lee evoked the example of the late iconic musician, Elvis Presley, to emphasize the importance of protecting artists’ rights. Following Presley’s death, an unfortunate legal battle ensued over the unauthorized use of his name and likeness. However, the Tennessee Legislature passed the Personal Rights Protection Act in 1984, which extended protection not only to Presley’s estate but also to all public figures in the state, recognizing personality rights even beyond death.
While states like New York and California have already introduced similar protections, the issue of vocal likeness remains unaddressed. Artists and creators are increasingly advocating for stronger safeguards against AI tools that generate music, imagery, video, and text without proper consent.
Prominent figures in the music industry have voiced their support for this legislation. Four-time Grammy-nominated songwriter Jamie Moore stated that using someone’s lifetime experiences or voice without permission is simply wrong. Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, stressed the need to prevent AI tools from exploiting artists’ work to create new content without their consent. Fair compensation for artists is also a paramount concern.
As the impact of generative AI tools continues to advance rapidly, with the capability to generate emotionally evocative pieces, other states such as California are expected to follow Tennessee’s lead and introduce similar legislation to address safety, privacy, and discrimination concerns related to AI.
In the broader scope, copyright reforms and legislative efforts at the federal level are being considered to combat harmful digital impersonations, AI deepfakes, and unauthorized duplications. A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024, signaling a concerted effort to protect artists’ rights and combat the negative consequences of AI technology.
Tennessee’s groundbreaking legislation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle to preserve the rights of artists and creators in the face of AI threats. By setting an example for other states and stimulating federal discussions, Tennessee is leading the way towards a future that values and protects artistic expression in the era of AI.
The source of the article is from the blog krama.net