Universal Music Group (UMG) took down the song “Heart on My Sleeve” from streaming services after it went viral over the weekend. The label strongly denounced the track for using AI-generated vocals that purported to be Drake and The Weeknd, citing it as an infringement of content created with generative artificial intelligence.
Yesterday afternoon US time (17 April), Ghostwriter977, a TikTok user, originally posted a track that was later shared on streaming services under the artist’s Ghostwriter. In this short time, it had gained an impressive 600,000 Spotify streams, 15 million TikTok views, and 275,000 YouTube views before being removed.
UMG expressed to Billboard magazine that the widespread postings signify why it is essential for platforms to take legal and ethical measures to guard artists against being victimized through their services.
UMG did not explain whether it had submitted official demands for removal to the streaming services and social media platforms.
A spokesperson says:
“The training of generative AI using our artists’ music (which represents both a breach of our agreements and a violation of copyright law) as well as the availability of infringing content created with generative AI on DSPs [digital service providers], begs the question as to which side of history all stakeholders in the music ecosystem want to be on: the side of artists, fans and human creative expression, or on the side of deep fakes, fraud and denying artists their due compensation,”
“We’re encouraged by the engagement of our platform partners on these issues – as they recognise they need to be part of the solution.”
UMG asked streaming services to deny AI firms access to their songs last week, according to the Financial Times. The label discovered that certain companies had been using copyrighted music for training.
A spokesperson went on to say:
“Without obtaining the required consents”, and warned the platforms: “We will not hesitate to take steps to protect our rights and those of our artists.”
In October, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sounded the alarm that AI companies were unlawfully utilizing music to educate their machines, causing the music industry to act against this assumed menace of counterfeit tunes.
A spokesperson
“That use is unauthorised and infringes our members’ rights by making unauthorised copies of our members’ works.”
Last month, the Entertainment Industry Coalition released seven essential principles concerning artificial intelligence and music. These principles focused on the need for AI to empower human creativity and highlighted the importance of considering creators’ rights when formulating policy.
Drake has been involved in two confrontations involving AI-generated songs this week. On Friday, the Canadian rapper expressed anger over a rendition of Ice Spice’s smash hit Munch that included an imitation of his verse. In an Instagram story, he stated, “This is the final straw AI.” Additionally, Bryson Tiller replicated Drake’s voice using artificial intelligence for Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP and Don’t.
The prospect of AI-generated music is an exciting advancement that could result in fresh ideas and experimentation in the music business. If we take a conscious approach to safeguarding human inventiveness and uniqueness, we can open up new possibilities in music and other areas by utilizing this technology.
Source: the guardian
