Lawmakers say new law should ban AI deepfakes from music stars

Musicians and other celebrities should be protected by laws banning artificial intelligence-based deepfakes in the UK, a group of MPs has proposed.

The use of AI to impersonate the voices and images of famous singers and rappers is on the rise.

In early April, Jess Glynne, Mumford & Sons, Sam Smith, Zayn Malik and others wrote an international open letter calling for further protections against the “predatory use of AI to steal artists' voices and likenesses.” He was among the British artists signed.

The All Party Parliamentary Alliance for Music is currently calling on the government to regulate the use of AI in music.

The bill should include “certain moral rights to protect creators and artists from abuse and false endorsements,” lawmakers said in a report released Wednesday.

Such legislation should also include other measures to protect musicians from the risk of AI becoming “disruptive to the lives of creators,” it said.

Labor MP Kevin Brennan, chair of the cross-party group, said politicians “must confront the dangers the unfettered development of AI could pose to British musicians and the music business”.

But the power of AI can also be a force for good, “helping musicians innovate and stimulating new human creativity,” he added.

“We are at our peril by ignoring the need to put in place policies that help us reap the benefits of AI and thwart the threats it poses,” Brennan said.

“Our central insight must always be that AI can be a good servant, but a terrible master.”

The report highlights new powers in Tennessee, which recently passed a law (known as the Elvis Law) that prohibits the use of AI to imitate an artist's voice without the artist's permission.

MPs said the example “shows that the UK should introduce moral rights to protect the individuality of British creators and keep pace with international competitors”.

The UK already has existing protections, such as the 'right of impersonation', which prevents one person from pretending to be someone else when offering goods or services.

But the lawmakers said it “remains to be seen whether this will be effective against deepfakes.”

They added: “Clear laws that protect creators and artists from abuse and false endorsements would provide clarity and certainty for all involved, including technology providers.”

They said the Pro-Creative Industries AI Bill would include rights for musicians to prevent their work from being used without permission by AI, clear labeling of music made with AI, the creation of an international task force, and the creation of an international task force. He said that reform of civil rights should also be included.

In response, a government spokesperson said: “We are committed to helping artists and the creative industries work together with the AI ​​sector to take advantage of the opportunities this technology offers and ensure our music continues to be enjoyed around the world.” said.

“Trust and transparency are essential to this shared approach. We are working closely with stakeholders and will provide further updates soon.”

On the other side of the Atlantic, British artist FKA Twigs told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Tuesday that she created her own deepfake to carry out some tasks while focusing on her music.

“Over the past year, I have developed a deepfake version of myself that is not only trained in my personality, but can speak many languages ​​using my exact tone of voice.” she said.

“I will be leveraging a twig of AI later this year to expand my reach and handle online social media interactions while continuing to focus on my art in the comfort and ease of my studio. ”

But she called for better U.S. regulations to prevent others from hijacking artists' voices and images.

She wrote: “Our careers and livelihoods are at risk, and the rights associated with the broader image of others in society are also potentially at risk. You have the power to change this and protect our future. there is.”

“It is essential that the very nature of our existence at the most human level can be violated by abusing AI to create digital facsimiles that pretend to be us or our work. That's wrong.”

He added: “So to make sure that we, as an industry and as legislators, do everything we can to protect our creative rights and our intellectual rights and the very foundations of who we are. It is vital that we work together,” he added.