Music Industry Organizations Back Newly Proposed ‘No Fakes’ AI Bill

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The impact of artificial intelligence is being discussed on Capitol Hill after the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act—or the No Fakes Act—was proposed.

Sponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), the bill seeks to protect singers, musicians actors and other creators from having their voices and/or likeness replicated by artificial intelligence in sound recordings and audiovisual works. The bill would hold people, companies and platforms liable for creating or hosting unauthorized AI replications of entertainers and creators.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) applauded the introduction of the No Fakes Act via a statement made today (Oct. 12). The statement reads, “Our industry has long embraced technology and innovation, including AI, but many of the recent generative AI models infringe on rights – essentially instruments of theft rather than constructive tools aiding human creativity.

“We applaud Senators Coons, Blackburn, Tillis, and Klobuchar for recognizing that unauthorized uses of one’s name, image, likeness, and voice are a clear threat to artists, songwriters, performers, authors, journalists, photographers, and the entire creative community. We look forward to engaging in a robust bipartisan process with a strong bill that effectively protects against this illegal and immoral misappropriation of fundamental rights that protect human achievement.”

The Human Artistry Campaign, an alliance of entertainment companies who seek to keep human creativity at the center of technological innovation, also supported the act.

Their statement reads, “The Human Artistry Campaign believes AI could provide exciting new tools that assist human creativity if established in a responsible manner. However, generative AI applications that steal copyrighted recordings and images to produce voice clones and digital replicas or misappropriate the names and likenesses of artists and performers without consent are incredibly harmful to our society and culture.

“These supposed ‘tools’ attack the most basic elements of human individuality and creativity. We thank Senators Coons, Blackburn, Tillis, and Klobuchar for putting forward draft legislation to protect creators and their work. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to strengthen this proposal while providing clear and effective remedies to stop the wrongful appropriation of creators’ identities and encourage ethical AI practices.”

Of the bill, Tennessee’s senator Blackburn shared, “Songwriters, actors, and our incredibly talented creative community deserve the right to own their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This legislation is a good first step in protecting our creative community, preventing AI models from stealing someone’s NIL, and ensuring that those rights are given primary consideration under the law. I look forward to joining Senator Coons and my colleagues in the Senate and House to develop strong bipartisan legislation we can pass into law.”

LB Cantrell
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