Musicians Are Exhausted by the AI Clone Phenomenon

The music industry is in turmoil as AI-generated fakes infiltrate digital platforms, leaving artists fuming.

The Growing Issue of Artificial Copies

Critics in the music scene are using strong language to vent their frustrations about the omnipresence of AI doppelgängers. While artificial copies aren't an entirely new phenomenon, the audacity of these impersonators has increased significantly, prompting artists to fight back with increased intensity.

The year 2023 saw initial ripples with AI-generated Drake songs. Over the past couple of years, the challenge has escalated, affecting even industry titans like Beyoncé and avant-garde composer William Basinski, whose names appear beside fabricated tracks on streaming platforms.

Platform Challenges and Responses

Spotify has been attempting to tackle this issue by setting clear policies against mimicking artists, yet the vastness and current architecture of the digital music ecosystem complicate these efforts. Deezer reports an overwhelming influx of about 34% of its music coming from daily uploads, indicating the scale of the AI problem.

Artists are not always uploading their tracks directly to streaming platforms. They often rely on third-party distributors like DistroKid, which raises questions about the effectiveness of existing verification processes. DistroKid has not provided any clarifications when asked.

Reactions from Aggrieved Artists

William Basinski, unexpectedly associated with a reggaeton piece, usually crafts meditative soundscapes from cosmic phenomena. He described the situation as an upsetting disorder, and his label has been vigilant in managing these anomalies.

Stu Mackenzie from King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard expressed both frustration and a sense of inevitability when faced with unauthorized AI tracks attributed to his band. Similarly, Here We Go Magic and Toto faced unwanted AI attributions, calling the instances disgraceful.

Exploitation of AI Music

The sheer ease with which AI can generate music is a concern. Even if some aren't directly AI-fueled, the technology drastically accelerates production. Tools like Suno are avoiding specific artist directives but can produce content with minimal inputs.

Corporate and Community Tensions

The United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) view AI-fueled music as a threat, stating that it enables platforms and leading labels to potentially downplay the importance and compensation of human talent. These entities have already started forming alliances with AI music corporations.

In contrast, iHeartRadio has taken a bold stand, claiming a commitment to human artistry, vowing not to engage with computerized music devoid of human touch.

There is a pressing call for legislative measures to require disclosure of AI origins and safeguard royalties for genuine human creations. UMAW is advocating for laws to obligate streaming giants to acknowledge and sequester AI outputs, ensuring premiums are rightfully awarded to living musicians.