CEOs, advocates for labor rights, journalists, and individuals from the media industry came together in Washington, D.C. last week to participate in discussions with Senate members regarding the challenges faced by innovative sectors in light of the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence.
One of the key concerns raised by those in creative fields was the need for transparency in AI models and the expected changes in copyright and intellectual property laws as a result of advancements in artificially generated systems.
There have been inquiries about the origins of knowledge for conceptual AI programs, particularly as concerns are raised about the learning processes of text-based AI systems like Open AI’s ChatGPT and Google Bard, which are often trained on sources with a ‘left-leaning’ bias. For instance, in cases where an AI autonomously creates a piece of music, there are questions about the data it was trained on and whether it may have been influenced by legendary musicians such as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, or Cher. This leads to considerations about the impact on the rights holders of the original music and the AI-generated compositions that draw on such foundational material.
Rick Beato, a well-known YouTube personality and music producer with collaborations with Shinedown and Needtobreathe, suggested the implementation of licensing regulations similar to those governing music usage in films or public spaces.
In a video following the hearing on his YouTube channel, Beato proposed a “song database license” to reveal the songs used as training data for compositions.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, representing New York, spoke to the press on Capitol Hill after the hearing, expressing his support for this viewpoint and stressing the importance of preserving artists’ recognition in the age of AI.
Schumer highlighted the need to establish and uphold protections for creators to safeguard their attribution rights in the face of AI advancements, emphasizing the crucial role of transparency in AI systems.
While differing opinions emerged during the discussions, Senator Todd Young from Indiana, a bipartisan figure in Schumer’s panel, emphasized the importance of a balanced approach going forward.
Young pointed out the range of perspectives on protecting intellectual property, with some advocating for regulatory measures while others preferred market-driven solutions and adherence to existing fair use principles.
Beato’s suggestion to exclude AI-generated music from copyright protection, reportedly supported by Senators, presented a contrasting view within the conversation.
Anthony Fantano, a prominent music critic and journalist, praised Beato’s testimony and echoed concerns about intellectual property and transparency in AI-generated content.
Fantano highlighted the prevalence of imitation and replication in AI-generated art, underscoring the need for accountability in the creative process.
He called for clear labeling of AI-generated content to differentiate it from human-created material, citing instances where AI-generated content was misrepresented as human work by media outlets.
Young acknowledged the valuable insights shared during the session on November 29, noting the constructive recommendations for shaping AI regulations. While specific details were not extensively discussed, Young expressed satisfaction with the overall productivity of the session and the thoughtful guidance provided.
