Artificial intelligence was again the hot topic of the day in Washington, D.C., as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony from the music industry, unions and academics about the risks generative AI presents. The session primarily focused on AI-based digital clones and deepfakes, with one musician sharing his experience with the technology.
Copyright and freedom of expression protection were also key topics covered by a variety of guests, including Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA director and chief negotiator, and University of San Diego School of Law professor Lisa Ramsey, Digital. DiMA CEO Graham Davis and former NBC Universal Chief Counsel Ben Sheffner.
British actress and musician “FKA Twigs,” whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett, spoke firsthand about how AI could impact artists.
“We dedicate a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice to the pursuit of excellence, not only with the expectation of commercial success and critical acclaim, but also with the hope of creating a body of work and a reputation that is our legacy.” FKA Twigs spoke to the committee. “I am here because my music, my dancing, my acting, the way my body moves in front of the camera and the way my voice resonates on the microphone are not accidental. They essentially reflect who I am.”
FKA Twigs, 36, is set to star in the upcoming 2024 reboot of ‘The Crow.’ She emphasized the effort it takes to perfect an artist’s craft, with the goal of creating a sustainable foundation and a lasting legacy rather than just fame.
“Let me be clear: I am not against AI,” she said. “As a forward-thinking artist, new technologies are exciting tools that I can use to express deeper emotions, create fantastical worlds, and touch the hearts of many people.”
FKA Twigs then told the committee that she had created a digital clone of herself.
“Over the past year, I have not only trained my character but also developed my own deepfake version that can speak different languages using the correct tone of voice,” she said. Gain a more global fan base and hone your marketing while focusing on your craft.
“But this is all under my control and I can grant or deny consent in a meaningful way,” she said.
The key elements of the SAG-AFTRA strike were consent and fair compensation. Earlier this month, the Actors’ Union signed a deal with major players in the music industry that limits record labels’ use of AI on actors’ voices.
FKA Twigs added, “What is unacceptable is that due to the lack of proper legislative controls and restrictions, my art and my identity can be simply taken by third parties without my consent and falsely exploited for their own benefit.” Yes.
Last October, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the “No Fake Act” aimed at banning the creation of AI-generated likenesses without consent. The bill responds to concerns about the use of AI to imitate individuals in the media, highlighted by an unauthorized AI-generated song featuring Drake and The Weeknd.
Although many in the entertainment industry have accused AI creators of stealing their vocals and style, some artists, including electronic musician Grimes, have embraced the technology. Grimes encouraged fans in 2023 to have their voices generated by AI. Royalty 50%.
Last November, the Beatles used AI to resurrect John Lennon and George Harrison to complete their final album ‘Now and Then’ with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. In an interview with decryption Earlier this month, Avenged Sevenfold frontman Matt Sanders said that within 20 years, people won’t even care whether music was created by AI.
But the key for FKA Twigs is protecting the legacy she has created through her music over the years.
“The bottom line is my spirit, my art. “My brand is my brand,” she said. “I spent years developing it and it’s mine. It doesn’t belong to anyone else, whether it’s used in a commercial sense or a cultural sense or even just for a laugh.”
“I am who I am. I am human. And we must protect it.”
Edited by Ryan Ozawa.