AI Music on Social Media:
Balancing Innovation and Artist Rights
As machine learning models advance, the use of AI in music composition has grown significantly, transforming how music is created and consumed. This evolution has not only expanded access to music production tools but also disrupted traditional methods of composition, challenging conventional notions of artistry and originality while shaping a new dynamic in the music industry. AI-generated music has its roots in projects like Lejaren Hiller and Leonard Isaacson’s pioneering work in 1957 and David Cope’s “Experiments in Musical Intelligence” (EMI) in the 1980s, which analyzed musical compositions to create new works in the same style. (Flourishprosper.net) Today, platforms such as YouTube’s Dream Track, OpenAI’s MuseNet, and Google’s Magenta, have brought AI music generation into the mainstream, leveraging neural networks to compose unique musical pieces. For example, Dream Track’s collaboration with nine popular artists allowed it to generate short, 30-second tracks in their style and voice, offering users a novel way to engage with music creation (blog.youtube). TikTok’s AI tools, such as automated sound editing and music generation, specifically benefit users by simplifying complex production processes and making high-quality audio creation accessible to non-professionals. However, these tools also pose unique challenges compared to other platforms. TikTok’s algorithm heavily favors trends, which can lead to oversaturation of similar-sounding content, making it difficult for individual creators to stand out. While TikTok’s tools excel in promoting rapid content creation, they may inadvertently prioritize quantity over quality, encouraging artists to conform to trending styles rather than innovate. However, this technological leap has created both opportunities and challenges for artists.
MuseNet by OpenAI posted this demonstration on Twitch TV that shares its capabilities of mimicking certain music styles, artists voices, genres of music, etc. It shares the capabilities of AI technology and its ability to produce music that closely resembles human creativity. By analyzing vast amounts of data, MuseNet can compose pieces in the style of classical composers like Chopin, or modern pop artists. This demonstration highlights the potential of AI to revolutionize the music industry by not only generating original compositions, but also enabling artists to experiment with new sounds.
Google and YouTube are also experimenting with AI music creation:
For growing artists, AI-generated music offers an unprecedented opportunity to access tools that were once limited to those with significant resources. These tools can help artists produce music, attract a wider audience, and engage creatively with social media followers. However, the competitive landscape becomes increasingly crowded as AI-generated tracks flood platforms, making it harder for original works to stand out. For established artists, the challenges are even more pronounced. The ability of AI to mimic their voices and styles raises significant concerns about copyright infringement and lost revenue streams. Artists risk their sounds being reproduced or overshadowed by AI-generated works, blurring the lines of true creativity. (euronews.com)
We interviewed Jessica Richard, Senior Vice President, Federal Public Policy at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), who gave us many insights on the current legislative proposals regarding the integration of AI into the music industry. In response to these challenges, legislation like Tennessee’s Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act represents a significant step towards protecting artists from unauthorized use of their voices. This law is the first of its kind, and it prohibits the use of AI to mimic a person’s voice without their permission; it classifies those actions as Class A misdemeanors (Armstrongteasdale.com).
Despite it being a monumental step, the ELVIS Act’s implications for platforms like Dream Track or TikTok are yet to be fully understood, especially when balancing innovation with artist protection is still an ongoing challenge.
In Congress, the NO FAKES Act, a critical piece of legislation aimed at protecting consumers, individuals, and artists from non consensual deep fakes and voice clones, currently (in December 2024) has broad bipartisan support, but has not yet been passed. The NO FAKES Act would be the first federal Right to Publicity law, seeking to hold those who create harmful, nonconsensual replicas accountable while safeguarding First Amendment protections for journalism and satire. This underscores the growing recognition of the ethical challenges posed by AI technologies and the need for legislative action to protect creators and individuals alike (humanartistrycampaign.com). Requiring clear labeling of AI-generated content or implementing licensing agreements with artists could be potential solutions to align with these laws. By pushing for policy changes, the Human Artistry Campaign is working to ensure that advancements made in AI enhance the value of human creativity in the arts rather than undermine it.
Internationally, governments and organizations are beginning to take notice of the implications of AI in creative fields. The European Commission, for instance, is exploring legislation to address AI’s impact on intellectual property, and other nations are likely to follow suit. They have proposed “The AI Act,” which ensures AI systems in the EU are safe, transparent, nondiscriminatory, environmentally friendly, and overseen by humans (europarl.europa.eu). It includes transparency requirements which require organizations to disclose AI generated content, prevent legal outputs, and comply with copyright law. This act was adopted in March of 2024, and will take full effect within 24-36 months. Global collaboration on these issues will be critical, as the digital nature of AI-generated content often transcends national borders. AI platforms, especially ones as globally influential as Dream Track, can play a pivotal role by aligning their operations with these international efforts. Artists and policymakers will continue to collaborate to create standards that can be adopted across jurisdictions, ensuring that creators everywhere are protected (humanartistrycampaign.com).
Social Media
AI tools can make it easier for artists to experiment with new sounds and produce professional content without the need to spend a lot of money. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube/YouTube Shorts are known for their ability to launch new/growing artists into fame almost overnight, with examples like Justin Bieber, Bella Poarch, Tyla, Lil Nas X, etc.
Artists may find themselves at a crossroads between innovation and protection. While these AI tools may offer opportunities for creativity, accessibility and audience engagement, they also bring new challenges around originality and revenue security. Initiatives like the Human Artistry Campaign and legislation like Tennessee’s ELVIS act represent early steps in creating a framework that can support both human art and AI innovation.
The integration of AI in music production can bring artists to new levels of creativity while still protecting their rights, as described by Jessica Richard. What does it mean for art to be “original” when AI can replicate styles, voices, and art? Creating AI-generated content that complements rather than competes with original works could help maintain a mutually beneficial relationship. Similarly, ensuring proper consent is given from the artists, and allowing these tools to be used to enhance their creativity can be mutually beneficial. She described one example of country artist Randy Travis and his use of AI to continue his music career. This example shows how beneficial it can be for AI platforms to collaborate with artists to use AI tools effectively and ethically and empower them to navigate this new terrain.