Warner Music issues warning against AI companies in music industry
Warner Music Group has joined Sony in the quest to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the music industry. The company has issued a letter to tech companies, informing them that they must obtain permission before using their output in the training and development of artificial intelligence.
The letter acknowledged the possible benefits of artificial intelligence for the industry, suggesting that “machine learning and artificial intelligence have creative potential for artists and songwriters.” Still, the company stated that its usage needs to “respect the rights of all those involved in the creation, marketing, promotion, and distribution of music.”
WMG then asserted that companies must secure a license from the company in order to use “any creative works owned or controlled by WMG or to link to or ingest such creative works in connection with the creation of datasets, as inputs for any machine learning or AI technologies, or to train or develop any machine learning or AI technologies.”
“We will take any necessary steps to prevent the infringement or other violations of our artists’ and songwriters’ creative works and rights,” the letter concluded. WMG is the parent company of several record labels, including Atlantic, Parlophone, and Sire. Their artists include huge names like Charli XCX, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, and more.
Earlier in the year, Sony Music shared a similarly damning statement about the use of artificial intelligence in the music industry. In a letter sent to over 700 firms, Sony questioned whether companies had been using their music without permission, referencing the AI Act which was passed in May. It marks the first real regulation on artificial intelligence.
Alongside Warner, Sony is one of the ‘Big Three’ record labels, and the second to take a stand against AI. The company has some similarly huge names on their roster, including modern hit-makers like Beyonce and Adele as well as legacy names like David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen.
Conversations and concerns surrounding the use of AI in the music industry, and in arts and culture more generally, have been growing throughout the last few years. Artists ranging from Hozier to Damon Albarn to Queen’s Brian May have shared their worries over its use. Hopefully, as labels join the conversation too, AI will receive the regulation required to protect creatives.
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