TL;DR:
- A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduces the No AI FRAUD Act, aiming to regulate AI use in replicating voices and likenesses.
- The legislation establishes a federal framework to safeguard individuals’ voice and likeness rights while addressing First Amendment protections.
- Expect more federal and state-level AI regulation announcements in this field.
- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee plans to introduce a similar bill focusing on AI voice and likeness cloning.
- The No AI FRAUD Act aligns with the music industry’s calls for regulation following incidents like the fake Drake song “Heart On My Sleeve.”
- Industry leaders emphasize the importance of protecting artists from unauthorized generative AI and applaud the legislative efforts.
Main AI News:
In a decisive bipartisan move, a coalition of esteemed U.S. House lawmakers revealed a groundbreaking bill on Wednesday, January 10th, designed to regulate the utilization of artificial intelligence in replicating voices and likenesses. Dubbed the “No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act,” or the “No AI FRAUD Act” for short, this pivotal legislation aspires to establish a comprehensive federal framework safeguarding an individual’s voice and likeness, while also delineating the boundaries of First Amendment protections.
Anticipate a flurry of additional federal and state-level legislative initiatives pertaining to artificial intelligence to be unveiled later today, with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee poised to introduce a bill addressing AI voice and likeness cloning. On January 5th, Governor Lee offered a glimpse into the forthcoming legislation, stating, “As the technological landscape evolves with the emergence of artificial intelligence, we take pride in leading the nation by proposing legal safeguards for our exceptional artists and songwriters.“
The No AI FRAUD Act finds its origins in a discussion draft titled “Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act,” or the “NO FAKES Act,” which was initially introduced last October.
Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), the primary Republican sponsor of the bill, spearheaded the introduction of the No AI FRAUD Act, with support from Representatives Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Joe Morelle (D-NY), and Rob Wittman (R-VA). This legislative endeavor aims to address the novel challenges posed by AI voice synthesis technology while providing a shield for recording artists. While some herald AI as an innovative tool for marketing, creativity, and fan engagement, it also exposes artists to the risk of unsettling impersonations that could sow confusion, deception, and fraud among the public.
Currently, an artist’s voice, image, or likeness may be protected under “right of publicity” laws, which prevent commercial exploitation without consent. However, the specifics of these laws vary from state to state. The No AI FRAUD Act endeavors to create a standardized foundation of protection. Nevertheless, in states where the right of publicity laws offer even greater protection than the No AI FRAUD Act, the state-level safeguards remain intact and may be more expediently pursued through legal channels.
This legislative move aligns with the calls for regulations voiced by numerous music industry executives, including those at Sony, ASCAP, and UMG, following incidents like the viral fake Drake song “Heart On My Sleeve.”
Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, emphasized, “The music industry stands on the front lines against the unauthorized utilization of generative AI. Music artists endure daily exploitation as their creative works are harvested, manipulated, and repackaged without consent, attribution, or compensation. The No AI FRAUD Act will institute federal intellectual property rights for voice and likeness, with stringent penalties for entities and individuals attempting to pilfer and profit from the intellectual creations of music artists.”
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, stressed, “As AI rapidly evolves and leaves its mark on our creative spaces, it is imperative that Congress acknowledges human creativity as the cornerstone of the musical process. We extend our gratitude to Representatives Salazar, Dean, Moran, Morelle, and Wittman for their efforts to shield the voices and visual likenesses of artists, performers, and songwriters from unauthorized replication and exploitation. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with our nation’s leaders to ensure that music can continue to flourish in this new era of technological advancement.”
Richard Burgess, President and CEO of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), added, “Artists dedicate years, and in some cases, decades, to meticulously crafting their brand in order to connect with their fan base. Allowing AI companies to profit from imitating artist voices undermines the fundamental principle of copyright: rewarding those who take risks to advance the arts. This proposal is both timely and addresses a significant void.”
Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, echoed the sentiment, stating, “AI will unquestionably play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the music industry, making it imperative that we collaborate to safeguard the rights of music creators worldwide as this technology evolves. I applaud the congressional members’ efforts in supporting the creative community.”
Conclusion:
The introduction of the No AI FRAUD Act marks a significant step in regulating AI’s impact on voice and likeness replication. This legislation not only ensures the protection of artists’ rights but also responds to the evolving challenges posed by AI technology in the creative industry. It reflects the growing importance of intellectual property rights and sets a precedent for similar legislation, highlighting the need for comprehensive AI regulation in various sectors of the market.
