Nashville Songwriters Advocate for AI Regulation
Nashville songwriters are pushing for stronger legal protections as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent in the music industry. Last week, board members from the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) met with lawmakers in Washington D.C. to discuss potential regulations surrounding AI’s impact on artists.
The Challenge of AI in Music Creation
As NSAI Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Turnbow noted, many AI tools scrape content from the internet, including material from pirate sites. This process allows AI to create outputs that can incorporate elements of songs without giving credit or compensation to the original creators. Songwriter Jenn Schott expressed her concerns, stating that once her work is available online, it can be ingested by AI and used to produce new songs, making it difficult for her to earn a living.
Schott reflected on the evolution of the industry over her 25 years as a songwriter, noting the transition from cassettes to modern technology like iPhones. While some AI tools have been beneficial, aiding in the creation of demos and making opportunities more affordable, she emphasized that technology cannot replicate the human touch that is vital in songwriting.
The Need for Regulation
Turnbow remarked that AI technology is currently ahead of existing regulations, stating, “The cat is a little bit out of the bag.” However, she stressed the importance of establishing guardrails, particularly focusing on the four P’s:
- Permission: AI systems should obtain authorization from copyright owners before using their works for training.
- Payment: Compensation should be negotiated in a free marketplace for the use of copyrighted material in AI training.
- Proof: AI companies must track and disclose the materials used for training generative AI systems.
- Penalties: Copyright owners should have the ability to sue for remuneration if regulations are not followed.
Legislative Proposals
Two significant legislative proposals include:
- The Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media (COPIED) Act: This bill, co-sponsored by Senator Marsha Blackburn, aims to prohibit the unauthorized use of copyrighted content for training AI.
- The Transparency and Responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Networks (TRAIN) Act: This act would grant copyright holders access to AI training records, ensuring they can track the use of their work.
Both proposals have garnered support from NSAI, which emphasizes that music creators deserve fair treatment in an evolving digital landscape.
The Future of Music and AI
Despite concerns about falling behind other countries in AI development, Turnbow insists that the music industry has a history of adapting to technological advancements. “Music has sort of defied those odds for years,” she stated. The ongoing dialogue between songwriters and lawmakers aims to protect the creative works that contribute significantly to cultural exports.
As AI continues to reshape the music landscape, the collaboration between artists and lawmakers is crucial to ensuring that the rights of creators are preserved in this new era.
