The partnership between Universal Music Group and BandLab Tech focuses on the ethical application of AI to safeguard the rights of artists.
Universal Music Group (UMG) and BandLab Technologies announced a new partnership on October 18 to promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry.
The partnership focuses on the “ethical use of AI,” with one of its primary objectives being the protection of artists’ and composers’ rights.
The executive vice president and chief digital officer of UMG, Michael Nash, added:
“This is more important than ever right now as AI assumes an increasingly prominent place in the evolution of music creation tools.”
In addition to safeguarding artists’ rights, Nash stated that the two intend to develop responsible approaches to AI use in creative processes to “champion human creativity and culture.”
In an interview with reporters, the CEO of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, conveyed a similar sentiment when he stated that AI could be an “amplifier” of human creativity.
This is not the first time that UMG has addressed AI-related matters. In August, it was rumored that UMG and Google were discussing methods to combat AI deep fakes by developing a new tool that would enable the legal creation of AI tracks using artists’ likenesses.
YouTube issued its principles for collaborating with the music industry on AI technology shortly before UMG and Google began discussing AI copyright issues.
YouTube stated that it had engaged in discussions with significant music industry players, such as UMG, regarding the development of the principles. One of these was unveiling its new “Music AI Incubator.”
AI-related copyright infringement disputes between artists, musicians, and creators have reached the court system. A United States magistrate denied copyright for AI art in August 2023.
