In the ever-evolving landscape of music and technology, two industry leaders, Lynn Holland and Kathryn Marshburn, are making waves. With the rise of AI’s role in music, the duo delves deep into its upside and need for governance to drive an industry discussion and solution.
The AI-Driven Music Revolution
As the industry moves from AI-curated playlists to integrating music libraries with AI language and generative models, Lynn and Kathryn challenge the dangerous precedent of unregulated voice cloning to build a fan base. “The integration of AI in music isn’t just about convenience; it’s about the very essence of artistic ownership,” says Marshburn. As AI’s capabilities burgeon, so does its threat to creative work and personal data rights, absent industry regulation.
AI’s Invasion: A Double-Edged Sword
In 2023, ChatGPT’s introduction triggered a race to embed AI into software across verticals. It’s been embraced to automate workflows, and it is feared. “The sudden rage to adopt generative AI has sparked tensions as tech innovators capitalize on user data to build new offerings while enterprise clients are taking a hard line on user data controls,” Holland notes. “The benefits of AI are tremendous, but governance is needed, evidenced by Elon Musk’s concern about an “unbenign” scenario related to the hyper advancement of AI.” She continues, “Companies like Zoom Meetings that started using customer data to train their models have faced steep backlash, forcing them to adopt new terms and conditions and restrict data use.” The duo emphasizes the need for similar moves in music to foster innovation while safeguarding artists’ rights.
Artists at the Crossroads
Music novices and Indie artists are looking to AI for a ticket to fame. Paul McCartney used it to isolate the lyrics of his bandmates, and EDM artist Grimes, partnered with development studio CreateSafe to authorize and monetize AI cloning of her voice. For others, it’s a threat.
Marshburn shares, “Music artists are dully anxious and calling for immediate action to combat the dilution of their brand by deep fakes.” Outraged, Drake called it a “final straw” after Heart on My Sleeve feat. TheWeeknd was faked and distributed, garnering 15 million views on TikTok and 600,000 streams on Spotify.
The Tech Behind the Tunes
AI tools like Boomy and AIVA have democratized music production, enabling users to combine their voices with the voices and accompaniments of known artists to produce deep fakes that sound and look eerily similar to the established artists while skirting consent and royalties. “These tools are revolutionary,” Holland states. “This technology development demands a broad discussion about data ownership to regulate the use of an artist’s original work while giving space for creativity so new art can come to life.”
An Industry in Flux
The industry is grappling with AI’s implications. Universal Music has flexed its massive influence on streaming platforms and explored partnerships with Google and YouTube to legitimize reproductions. Warner Music’s CEO, Robert Kyncl, has called for a framework to support artists and their fans. Yet the industry has yet to produce a concrete solution. “Labels have been proactive, but the solution requires participation throughout a track’s chain of custody,” says Marshburn.
Shaping the Future: A Collaborative Endeavor
Holland and Marshburn believe in proactive collaboration, “We need to come together – artists, management teams, labels, streaming platforms, industry regulators, tech and security experts, and fans – to shape this new era,” Marshburn asserts. Holland adds, “This inspired us to outline six potential industry solutions and draw in industry experts to collaborate with us to protect music artistry and other forms of original art and to stand in the gap for music fans and humanity’s personal data rights.” For those eager to delve deeper into this intersection of music and AI, Lynn Holland and Kathryn Marshburn are not just observers; they’re pioneers. Their insights, backed by years of expertise, are shaping the conversation. And they invite you to be a part of it.
Connect with these trailblazers on LinkedIn and join the dialogue that’s setting the tone for the future of music: Lynn Holland | LinkedIn Kathryn Marshburn | LinkedIn.
