Opinion: As AI is embraced, what happens to the artists whose work was stolen to build it?
Los Angeles TimesJun 19
World's Top Music Labels Sue AI Music Creators
Image copyright: Amy T. Zielinski/Contributor/Hulton Archive via Getty Images
The Facts
Top record labels, including Sony, Warner Brothers, and Universal, have sued two generative artificial intelligence (AI) music startups for alleged copyright violations.
Through the Recording Industry Association of America, they've accused Suno and Udio of using the works of artists of different eras without their consent.
The Spin
Narrative A
AI poses a significant threat to music labels as the technology builds models using artists' work without consent or compensation. Claims of offering control tools don't help because they only shift the burden onto creators without addressing the core problem of unauthorized use. AI firms must realize that such infringement devalues creative labor. Artists' rights and livelihoods must be protected.
Narrative B
Historical precedents show that new technologies rarely stifle human creativity. AI can enhance artistic fields rather than replace them, pushing human artists to innovate further. Legal battles are likely, but AI's role in media will ultimately foster more creative opportunities than threats. The fear that AI will completely overshadow human artistry ignores the irreplaceable value of human creativity and intuition.