The head of the UK’s BPI, the record label trade body, has responded to a statement by the Council of Music Makers (CMM) regarding the use of AI in music. She emphasises that record labels are actively exploring AI’s potential while also insisting on the protection of copyright and the interests of creators. The CMM, representing various UK music industry organisations, recently outlined five principles for music AI tools, with a key demand being the necessity of seeking music-makers’ consent before using their work to train AI models.
In the broader music community, there’s consensus on the obligations of AI companies. They are expected to obtain licences for using existing music and be transparent about their music sources. The Human Artistry Campaign supports these demands, with both music companies and creators endorsing them. However, creators are also seeking assurances that they will have control over their music’s use by AI companies, even if they don’t own the copyrights.
While some music companies have made commitments or suggested intentions regarding music-maker consent, the exact strategies for managing AI platform licensing remain unclear in many cases. Despite the rapid evolution of generative AI technologies, it’s still early days, and the precise commercial opportunities in AI are uncertain. Nonetheless, CMM organisations argue that this uncertainty should not deter music companies from making commitments to ensure the consent of music-makers.