Sunak urged to consider musicians' rights at AI summit

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sat on a train reading documents
31 Oct 2023

UK Music Interim Chief Executive says government must uphold principles of consent and transparency amid advancements in AI to protect musicians and the sector’s talent pipeline.

Majority of heritage sector yet to utilise AI

Arundel Castle, West Sussex, England as seen from a light aircraft.
18 Sep 2023

Latest Heritage Pulse survey finds almost two thirds of heritage organisations are yet to consider how they might use AI in the future.

Scrap AI copyright exemption to protect creatives, say MPs

A person using a mixing desk
30 Aug 2023

Report from Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee says government must “regain the trust” of the creative industries and defend the interests of creatives amid the growing influence of AI.

UK Music chief warns of AI threat to industry

13 Jul 2023

UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has written to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer calling for reassurance that artificial intelligence (AI) firms will not be allowed to “crush the human creativity which is the beating heart and soul of our world-leading music industry”.

Njoku-Goodwin’s letter warns the rapid advance of AI poses many “difficult questions” government must urgently address.

It comes amid the growing use of AI to clone voices of musicians to create new music, creating issues around copyright and consent. UK Music and its members have put forward a five-point plan to support musicians in the face of developing AI technologies, which Njoku-Goodwin’s letter calls on the government to support.

The five principles include ensuring the creator or rights holder retains the legal rights to their creative output, and ensuring technology providers keep an auditable record of the music ingested before an algorithm generates new music.

It also suggests music generated by AI should be labelled as such, and that a new 'personality right' be created to protect the personality and image of songwriters and artists.

“As we look to unlock the potential of the creative industries, we must ensure the music industry and the tech sector grow in partnership, and the right guardrails are in place as we develop our AI sector,” Njoku-Goodwin’s letter states.

“I would be delighted to discuss this further with you or your officials and look forward to working with you to ensure the development of AI is a benefit rather than a barrier to our fantastic music industry.”

Young creatives embracing AI in music making

04 Jul 2023

New research from Youth Music has found 63% of young creatives are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help them produce their art, including music making. 

In comparison, the charity found that among those aged over 55, only 19% said they would use AI to assist with their creative vision, highlighting how different generations are reacting to shifting technologies.

Young creatives using AI in music making said that it made creating both quicker and easier, which the charity suggested might help to equalise access to the music industry. 

Dr Robert Laidlow, AI Expert at Jesus College Oxford, told the charity, using AI as a “human collaborator” could be helpful for young people attempting to discover new sounds.

Against concern from industry leaders and established artists that AI could lead to a decline in human creativity and innovation, the charity’s findings suggested it could offer to ways to improve imagination and creative thinking.

“There are still important questions to be addressed around the monetising of AI and the ownership of content, for example,” said Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music.
 
“However, what we're hearing right now from the next generation of creatives is excitement around its potential to equalise access to making, learning and earning in music. 

“Especially those who don’t have the advantage of expensive music education or equipment to aid their learning process, or paid support to run their business.”

The charity said overall young creatives expressed a positive outlook on the future of the industry, viewing AI as a way to assist with the creation of new music, rather than a way to generate it outright.

The arts and emerging technology

Performance of Golem. Person in clown makeup alongside 'Golem' – a creature crafted from clay. They are both stood on stage.
28 Jun 2023

Catherine Allen’s expertise spans augmented and virtual reality, including the development of the immersive sector. Here, she outlines how the arts have always been and continue to be crucial to the development of emergent technology.

Bazalgette: Creative sector will weather AI job threat

Sir Peter Bazalgette speaking at an event
21 Jun 2023

The creative sector is 'still going to need people with ideas' and is better placed to deal with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence than other areas of the employment market, Peter Bazalgette has said.

The impact of AI on the music industry

Black music sheet background with orange drawn musical notes
19 Jun 2023

Far from freeing musicians or aiding their creativity, artificial intelligence could have a devasting impact on jobs and opportunities, writes Stuart Darke.

AI and the future of arts fundraising

Chatbot icons
14 Jun 2023

Amid recent concerns about the safety of artificial intelligence, Ben Wilson looks at its potential as a resource for fundraising, and the ethical questions it throws up.

Voice-over jobs at risk from AI, union warns

28 Mar 2023

Artificial intelligence is a threat to the livelihoods of voice-over artists, performers' union Equity has said.

Liam Budd, Equity’s Audio and New Media Official, told The Stage that the development of automated digital voice technology is "a real concern for our audio artist members". 

He said areas most at risk are entry and low-level work, such as eLearning, interactive voice response and call-waiting work, which can make up a large portion of income for many voice-over actors.

Budd added: "We conducted a survey and 93% of audio artists who responded thought the development of AI technology posed a threat to employment opportunities in the performing arts sector."

He also said that the quality of contracts used to our engage members for AI work was "a huge problem". 

"Provisions are often very unclear about usage and simply request that the performer signs away their rights in perpetuity without explaining where or how their professional contribution may be exploited."

Equity has launched a campaign to lobby for legislative changes that will provide better protections for those working in the sector.

In defence of AI in art

Graffiti of a robot
12 Jan 2021

Anthony Padgett says artificial intelligence has a role in selecting, curating and even creating art, but the sector must define that role – and join the debate early, before others take control.

Zoom: shows promise but could do better

15 Oct 2020

What would the digital performing arts look like if the arts had their own software platform, responsive to artistic needs? Ron Evans explores the possibilities.

An artificial artist

04 Apr 2019

Aidan Meller introduces Ai-Da, a sketching robot who is both an artist and a work of art.

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