Over fifty global music technology companies and associations have united to support Roland and Universal Music Group’s (UMG) “Principles for Music Creation with AI.” These principles advocate for the responsible use of AI in music creation to “protect the essence of music — its human spirit.”
A Unified Stand for Ethical AI in Music
BandLab Technologies, Splice, Beatport, Focusrite, Output, LANDR, Waves, Eventide, Native Instruments, NAMM, Sequential, Oberheim, and more have joined forces to safeguard musicians’ rights as generative AI technology rapidly advances.
The guidelines were established to encourage key figures in the music technology space to be mindful of AI’s potential risks.
AIformusic, a coalition supporting these principles, emphasizes the importance of managing the impact of machine learning tools responsibly to protect artists’ integrity while acknowledging AI’s potential to empower musicians when used cautiously.
The Seven Core Principles
The “Principles for Music Creation with AI” are as follows:
- We believe music is central to humanity.
- We believe humanity and music are inseparable.
- We believe that technology has long supported human artistic expression, and applied sustainably, AI will amplify human creativity.
- We believe that human-created works must be respected and protected.
- We believe that transparency is essential to responsible and trustworthy AI.
- We believe the perspectives of music artists, songwriters, and other creators must be sought after and respected.
- We are proud to help bring music to life.
Industry Leaders Speak Out
Meng Ru Kuok, CEO and co-founder of BandLab Technologies, stated, “We are at a pivotal moment in the evolution of music creation. As leaders, it is our responsibility to thoughtfully ensure that AI supports artists and respects their creative integrity. As we develop new tools, we must remember that technology is at its best when it enhances, not overshadows, human creativity.”
Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava added, “AI brings new opportunities to our industry and many musicians are being inspired by these tools. But this is a critical time to support responsibility around new technology and respect for the rights of creators everywhere. This is about the human at the center.”
Tim Carroll, CEO of Focusrite PLC, emphasized, “As with all technologies, the Focusrite Group desires to see AI become another toolset to further the creativity of artists vs. a threat to our industry. We are proud to support AI For Music and to do our part to help ensure this technology is used in a responsible manner.”
The Broader Impact
The alignment of over fifty prominent music companies, associations, and institutions globally underscores a shared philosophy around the application of AI in music creation. This coalition is committed to adhering to ethical industry standards that protect human creativity while exploring innovative ways for AI to empower and support artists.
The principles highlight the need for transparency, equity, and proactive leadership to protect music creatives worldwide.
Why This Matters
For music producers, these principles are crucial as they navigate the evolving landscape of AI in music creation.
The guidelines ensure that AI tools are used to enhance, not replace, human creativity, maintaining the integrity and originality of music.
By adhering to these principles, producers can leverage AI’s potential while safeguarding their creative rights and contributions. This responsible approach to AI adoption will help shape a future where technology and human artistry coexist harmoniously, fostering innovation without compromising the essence of music.
For more information on the Principles for Music Creation with AI, visit AIformusic.
how are these big companies planning to protect musicians exactly? its cool that they’re teaming up but whats the plan?
I think they’re setting up some ethical guidelines for AI in music. Not sure about the details though.
The real question is whether these guidelines will have any teeth to enforce protections or if it’s more of a symbolic gesture.
Big fan of these companies coming together for musicians’ rights. It’s about time AI starts working for artists instead of against them. Here’s hoping this really makes a difference in the creative process!
Does anyone know how we can make sure these principles are actually followed? Feels like it could be easy to say, harder to implement.
TinaQ, exactly my thought. Enforcement is key here. Hopefully, there’s some form of oversight or transparency mechanism.
im glad to see big names getting together for this. ai’s cool and all but we gotta make sure it doesnt take away from the real talents out there.
Absolutely, Terry. Balancing innovation with artistic integrity is crucial.
great, AI’s gonna write songs now. can’t wait for robots to headline Coachella.
does anyone know how this is actually gonna work? Like, how do they plan to enforce these principles?
Sounds great in theory, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Big talk from big companies doesn’t always translate to action. Let’s see them walk the walk.
Super interesting to see companies like Native Instruments and Beatport get involved. There’s so much potential with AI in music, glad we’re taking steps to do it right!
not sure i agree with all this. innovation shouldnt be stifled by too many rules. sometimes you gotta break the mold to make something new, ya know?
It’s good news, but I wonder how this will actually impact the local indie scene. Any thoughts, sheryll?
This coalition could signify a pivotal moment in the evolution of music and technology. Following through on these principles will be paramount to their success.
This is wonderful news! It’s so important to protect the rights of creators. Can’t wait to see how these new tools will support us artists.
so, like, when AI can sing in broadway shows, will they also do autographs, Imagine the fan line, lol.
oh great, another ‘historic movement’. Didn’t we see this kind of promise before? Wake me up when there’s real change, not just press releases.
Let’s give them a chance before throwing in the towel! It’s a step in the right direction at least.
man, Meng Ru Kuok hit the nail on the head. AI’s gotta lift us up, not replace us. respect to BandLab and the crew for steering things right.
Not sure how I feel about AI in music. Doesn’t it take away the human element, or am i just old-school thinking?
It’s crucial that we scrutinize these principles closely. The real question is how they’ll strike a balance between protecting artists and fostering innovation. The vague nature of ‘ethical AI’ needs clear guidelines.
interesting to see so many companies on board with this. i’m curious how it’ll play out across different genres.
Curious about what these ‘core principles’ actually mean for someone just starting out. Anyone care to explain how it could affect newcomers?
This initiative is a breath of fresh air. Preserving the essence of artistry in music is crucial, especially with technology evolving at such a rapid pace.
So, if an AI writes a hit song, does it get its own Grammy? Asking for a robot friend.
Sure, and they can have robot fans too.
Robot Grammys, now there’s an idea. AI’s getting more creative, why not?
Love to see major industry players taking steps to ensure AI benefits artists. It’s really promising for future generations of musicians.
While the creation of a unified stand for ethical AI in music is commendable, we must delve deeper into the philosophical implications. What does it mean for music if the boundary between human and machine creativity blurs? How do we value music created by artificial intelligence compared to that created by human emotion and experience? These are questions we must ponder as we navigate this new terrain.
Imagine AI creating a vinyl record that plays backwards to reveal the future…spooky! But seriously, it’s kinda cool to think about how technology could change music even more.