Tennessee marks a pioneering step in the United States, instituring the first legislation to safeguard the voices of artists, composers, and celebrities from misuse through artificial intelligence, including the creation of deepfakes. The ELVIS Act, an acronym for “Ensuring Likeness of Voice and Image Security,” came into force on June 1st.
The internet, especially platforms like YouTube, has seen an increase in AI-generated renditions of popular songs with a vintage R&B twist, reminiscent of the ’60s and ’70s Motown sound. Well-known tracks are being transformed, not by traditional remix artists but by algorithms, raising questions and curiosity amongst listeners.
However, the music industry is on the defensive against such artificial intelligence “training,” desiring to maintain control over the use of their works. The state of Tennessee, the homeland of the legendary Elvis Presley and the country music capital Nashville, responded by embracing the ELVIS law on March 21st, under the support of Governor Bill Lee and various country music stars.
National organizations like the GRAMMY-awarding National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) played a role in crafting the law that extends intellectual property protection to an artist’s voice.
Furthermore, an open letter by the nonprofit organization Artists Rights Alliance (ARA), signed by over 250 music industry professionals, warns of AI’s potential “catastrophic” impact on musicians and composers. High-profile signatories include Norah Jones, Aerosmith, Katy Perry, and R.E.M. This collective voice highlights concern over AI applications like Splice or Soundful that can produce new music at the click of a button, prompting both enjoyment and thought regarding AI’s role in music’s future.
Importance of the ELVIS Act: The ELVIS Act sets a significant precedent by extending the protection of intellectual property rights to include the voices of artists, which was previously a grey area in terms of the law. With the advancement of AI technology, particularly deep learning and neural networks, it has become easier to create realistic voice simulations. The Act aims to prevent unauthorized use of a person’s voice, such as in deepfakes or unauthorized reproductions, which could lead to the exploitation of an artist’s identity and work.
Key Questions:
– How does the ELVIS Act protect artists’ voices and to what extent?
– What impact does the law have on the use of AI in the music industry?
– Could this legislation inspire other states or even federal law to adopt similar measures?
Challenges and Controversies:
– Enforcing the law may pose significant challenges, especially when considering international platforms or artists outside of Tennessee.
– The law could raise concerns regarding freedom of expression and the creative use of technology for purposes such as parody, education, or commentary.
– There may be complexities in distinguishing between homage, fair use, and infringement, particularly when AI is capable of generating content that closely resembles an artist’s style or voice.
Advantages:
– Provides artists with control and legal recourse over the use of their voices, potentially preventing exploitation.
– Serves as a deterrent against the unlawful commercialization of an artist’s voice without permission.
– Encourages responsible use of AI in relation to intellectual property and creates a clearer legal framework for its application in creative industries.
Disadvantages:
– May limit innovation and the development of new technologies in the creative industries.
– Could restrict creative freedom and the legitimate transformative use of voices for artistic or educational purposes.
– Might lead to increased legal disputes as artists and companies navigate the implications of the law.
Unfortunately, due to the knowledge cutoff data, I cannot confirm any URLs to additional resources. However, if you are interested in further information on topics such as intellectual property and AI, or organizations such as SAG-AFTRA and the National Academy of Recording Voice Protection Law, I would recommend visiting their official websites directly.
The source of the article is from the blog girabetim.com.br