Silence Speaks Volumes: Artists Protest AI-Generated Music
A group of over 1,000 British musicians, including legends like Kate Bush, Cat Stevens, and Annie Lennox, have made a bold statement against AI-generated music, by saying nothing at all. They’ve released an album titled Is This What We Want? featuring 12 silent tracks, protesting a UK government proposal that would allow AI companies to use copyrighted music without permission.
Profits from the album will go to the charity Help Musicians, and the movement has gained momentum as artists rally to protect their creative rights.
Major Lawsuits: Music Labels Take AI Startups to Court
Music labels aren’t staying silent. In June 2024, industry giants Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment launched lawsuits against AI music platforms Suno and Udio. The claim? These platforms allegedly trained their AI models using copyrighted songs without permission, violating intellectual property rights. This marks one of the first major legal battles over AI-generated music, setting a precedent for how AI and copyright will clash in the future.
AI vs. Lyrics: A Landmark Settlement
AI’s impact on music isn’t just limited to melodies; lyrics are also in the firing line. In early 2025, AI company Anthropic reached a settlement with music publishers, including Universal Music Group, after being accused of distributing copyrighted song lyrics through its AI model, Claude. The agreement forces Anthropic to implement safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future, signalling that AI developers will need to tread carefully when handling copyrighted material.
The ELVIS Act: Protecting Musicians from AI Impersonation
With the rise of deepfake vocals and AI-generated music, Tennessee has taken a stand. In March 2024, the state introduced the Ensuring Likeness Image and Voice Security (ELVIS) Act, which prevents AI companies from using artists’ voices and likenesses without permission. This move addresses growing concerns over AI-generated impersonations, ensuring musicians maintain control over their sound.
New Revenue Models: Finding Ways to Monetise AI’s Influence
While many artists are fighting against AI-generated music, others are exploring ways to make it work for them. Some musicians and rights holders are negotiating licensing agreements where AI platforms must pay for training data, similar to how streaming services pay royalties. There’s also a growing push for a “consent-based” AI system, where artists can choose to license their work for AI training in exchange for fair compensation. Meanwhile, blockchain and NFTs are being explored as ways to track and monetise digital ownership of music.
The Nuance of AI in Music Production
Not all AI use in music is controversial—many producers already rely on AI-powered tools for mixing, mastering, and composition assistance. AI-generated drum beats, vocal tuning software, and mastering programs like LANDR have been widely accepted as enhancements rather than replacements for human creativity.
The real issue arises when AI is used to mimic an artist’s style or voice without permission, blurring the lines between inspiration and outright theft. For many, the conversation isn’t about banning AI entirely, but rather ensuring it’s used responsibly and ethically within the industry. Unfortunately laws are often slow to catch-up, especially as the exponential growth of technological advancement almost always outpaces regulators.
AI Impersonation and Defamation: The Legal Grey Area
The rise of AI-generated voices and deepfake music has also sparked concerns over impersonation and defamation. Some artists have already been victims of AI clones releasing unauthorised “new songs,” creating confusion among fans and potential reputational damage. While impersonation laws exist, they often focus on individuals rather than digital recreations. Countries are now considering stronger legal protections against AI-generated defamation, but enforcement remains a challenge.
For example, here’s an AI generated music video of Barron Trump.
My new favorite thing is middle aged people on tik tok believing AI videos of Barron Trump singing are real pic.twitter.com/S3eravO0uP
— magoo (@Magooies) January 27, 2025
The Dead Internet Theory suggests that much of the internet is now dominated by AI-generated content, bot activity, and corporate-controlled narratives rather than genuine human interaction. As AI tools grow more sophisticated, the challenge will be ensuring that human creativity isn’t drowned out by algorithmic mimicry.
Industry Legends Sound the Alarm
It’s not just lawmakers and labels taking action. Some of the biggest names in music are speaking out. Paul McCartney has warned against proposed UK copyright law changes that could allow AI to exploit artists’ work without fair compensation. Meanwhile, Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus has highlighted research predicting a massive financial hit to musicians, with AI-generated music potentially costing the industry €22 billion over the next five years.
The Future of AI and Music: A Battle for Rights
As AI continues to push the boundaries of creativity, musicians and industry leaders are pushing back. From silent protests to legal showdowns, the fight to protect artists’ rights is just beginning. Whether through new laws, court rulings, or public advocacy, one thing is clear, artists won’t go down without a fight.
