Sony Music Group has issued warnings to 700 AI developers and music streaming services, cautioning them against using its artists’ content without proper authorization. The move underscores Sony’s stance on protecting the rights of artists and raises concerns about the implications of AI technologies in the entertainment sector.
Sony Music Group Issues Warnings to AI Developers Over Unauthorized Use of Artists’ Content
Sony Music Group has sent letters to 700 artificial intelligence developers and music streaming services, cautioning them against utilizing its artists’ music to train generative AI tools without authorization. This announcement, made on Thursday, May 16, 2024, emphasizes Sony’s position against unauthorized text and data mining related to lyrics, audio recordings, artwork, musical compositions, and images of its artists, including Celine Dion, Doja Cat, and Harry Styles.
The letters were reportedly sent to companies such as OpenAI and Google, advising them to halt the unapproved use of Sony’s content to train AI models. As of now, neither OpenAI nor Google has responded publicly to this directive.
This move by Sony Music Group arrives amid growing concerns within the entertainment industry about the implications of advanced AI technologies. There are worries that unchecked use of AI could undermine the rights and livelihoods of artists and creators, despite the potential benefits AI could bring in terms of new creative opportunities.
Furthermore, a recent lawsuit was filed against Berkeley-based Lovo by two New York voice-over actors, claiming unauthorized use of their voices by the AI voice generator company. This highlights ongoing legal tensions as the industry navigates the rapid evolution of AI.
While OpenAI has argued that using publicly available internet materials to train its models constitutes “fair use,” several media outlets have contested this claim, with the New York Times among those suing OpenAI over the usage of its content.
Sony Music Group’s letters mark a significant stance in the contentious debate over AI’s role and ethical boundaries in the entertainment sector.
