Tennessee Pursues First-of-its-Kind Legislation to Safeguard Musicians Against AI Voice Misuse

In a groundbreaking move, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee made an announcement alongside industry leaders at the iconic RCA Studio B in Nashville. Tennessee is set to become the first state to introduce and push forward legislation specifically designed to protect the music industry from the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI), particularly concerning voice impersonation and misuse.

The ELVIS Act: Protecting Musical Legacies

The newly announced legislation has been dubbed the ELVIS Act, an acronym for Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act. Drawing inspiration from laws previously established to protect Elvis Presley's identity, the ELVIS Act seeks to extend similar protections to all artists in the face of rapidly evolving AI technology.

Addressing AI Challenges in Music

The problem of AI in music is multifaceted, with the industry grappling with the unauthorized use of copyrighted material by AI algorithms, questions about copyright expansions to cover AI-collaborated compositions, and the most concerning issue—misuse of performers' vocal likenesses. Widespread concern was heightened after a fake AI-generated 'collaboration' between Drake and The Weeknd went viral, illustrating the potential threats to artists' livelihoods and relationships with fans.

Lawmakers and Artists Rally for Legislation

A spectrum of music industry stakeholders, from organizations like the Recording Academy to individual artists and producers, gathered in support of the legislation. Acknowledging the significance of Tennessee's music and the need for legal protections, Governor Lee's announcement outlined plans to shield songwriters, performers, and professionals from the detrimental impacts of AI misuse. Artists and industry representatives, including country-pop musician Lindsay Ell, highlighted the dangers of having one's voice or image misappropriated without consent, emphasizing the need for legislative action.

Aligning with National Efforts

The proposed Tennessee law aligns with national efforts to establish more comprehensive 'right to publicity' laws, enabling individuals to have greater control over the use of their voice as well as their name and image. The announcement also coincides with similar initiatives at the federal level, such as the NO FAKES Act and the NO AI FRAUD Act, illustrating a growing recognition of the issue across the country.

legislation, music, AI