The ongoing battle between the music industry and artificial intelligence has escalated, with the “Big 3” major American record labels now taking legal action against the two most prominent AI music startups.
Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Group have filed lawsuits against Suno and Udio, accusing them of using copyrighted songs without authorization to train their AI models. The Big 3 are seeking damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work, potentially amounting to billions of dollars.
The emergence of AI-generated music has raised concerns among artists who fear losing control of their unique sound if AI technology can replicate it in minutes. In response, hundreds of musicians, such as Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, and Jon Bon Jovi, signed an open letter urging tech companies to halt the “attack on human creativity.”
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While recognizing AI’s potential to enhance creativity when used responsibly, the letter highlights instances where AI is being misused to undermine musicians’ creativity. Some companies are reportedly using artists’ work without permission to train AI models, potentially reducing royalty payments and posing challenges for artists struggling to sustain themselves financially.
The letter was issued amidst ongoing debates within the entertainment industry regarding the impact of technological advancements, particularly in the era of streaming for TV, film, and music. Despite some protections established in deals between unions and studios, uncertainties remain regarding the usage of digital replicas for actors and musicians, leaving many vulnerable to exploitation.
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