Photo credit: Waldemar
Just over a month after negotiations on the EU AI law were formally approved, the regulatory action is one step closer to becoming a law. And while the precise impact of the law on the music industry remains to be seen, the bill, as it stands, would outright ban certain AI applications.
The European Parliament recently announced that it had “adopted its negotiating position on the ‘AI law’ – specifically with 499 votes in favor, 28 against and 93 abstentions – “before talks with the EU member states on the final design of the law.” .” In addition, the EP provided an overview of some of the most recent additions and changes to the lengthy, two-year-old bill.
In the latter area, according to the summary, the “high-risk AI” category of the law was expanded again and refers in particular to “recommendation systems Used by social media platforms (with over 45 million users).” Needless to say, TwitterFacebook, TikTok and Instagram each have well over 45 million users and have each recently had to deal with EU fines and/or regulatory controls.
As for outright “bans on intrusive and discriminatory” practices, these AI applications currently include “remote biometric identification systems” in public, “emotion recognition systems in law enforcement,” and the “random cutting out of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage.” to create facial recognition databases”, among others.
Closer to music, generative AI systems “like ChatGPT” would be required under the AI Act to “comply with transparency requirements” — including “disclosure that the content was AI-generated” and publicly sharing “copyrighted data used for their training.” were used”. ” according to the text.
The provisions were included in the draft AI law and are in the media spotlight about ten days after European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová called for labels for AI content. And in a press conference announcing today’s vote: MEP Brandon Benifei made the point and commitment to making comprehensive legislation law.
“We must be clear that there is no voluntary initiative,” said Benifei spelled out, “No global coordination efforts – which is crucial, as I said at the beginning – will do the work we are doing to have strong legislation (particularly in this case on transparency) when we deal with generatives, impede or influence in a restrictive way.” AI. We want content produced by AI to be recognizable as such.”
As AI plays an increasingly important role in music – as unauthorized sound-alike releases hit the market alongside non-infringing tracks – it will be particularly interesting to see what the requirement means for streaming services like Spotify. (Lobbying data shows the Stockholm-headquartered platform held several high-level European Commission meetings in 2023.)
For now, however, evidence and history suggest that the AI Act is still a long way from becoming law and taking effect. Of course, the rapid development of artificial intelligence shows no signs of slowing down as more and more outstanding artists of all time integrate the unprecedented technology into the creative process. In the US, some members of Congress have expressed an interest in passing legislation that would create a regulatory framework for AI.