U.S. Senators Propose Federal Bill Banning A.I. Vocal Use Without Permission

BYGabriel Bras Nevares353 Views
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WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 14: U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) (L) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) (R) speak to members of the media during a news conference on the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act November 14, 2018 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Sen. Flake announced on the Senate floor today that he will not vote on President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees until the Senate vote on the bill that will protect special counsel Robert Mueller and the Russia investigation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The NO FAKES Act aims to protect artists, hold replicators liable to damages, but still has exceptions under the First Amendment.

After all the controversy, a bipartisan bill in Congress currently in discussion draft form might result in the banning of AI-generated vocals. Moreover, Senators Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar, and Tillis proposed the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act (NO FAKES) on Thursday (October 12). Specifically, this bill would ban the unauthorized use of someone's replicated vocals by artificial intelligence for another's personal gain. In addition, the replicator would be liable to damages that the original person suffers as a result of this practice. However, there are still some exceptions in the bill that protect First Amendment rights of free speech, such as AI vocals for parody, commentary, or criticism purposes.

"Generative AI has opened doors to exciting new artistic possibilities, but it also presents unique challenges that make it easier than ever to use someone’s voice, image, or likeness without their consent,” Senator Coons stated. “Creators around the nation are calling on Congress to lay out clear policies regulating the use and impact of generative AI, and Congress must strike the right balance to defend individual rights, abide by the First Amendment, and foster AI innovation and creativity. I am thankful for the bipartisan partnership of Senators Blackburn, Klobuchar, and Tillis as we work to protect all individuals from unauthorized replication and ensure that the United States sets clear rules governing the intersection of AI and intellectual property."

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FRIDLEY, MN - APRIL 03: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks during a visit by U.S. President Joe Biden to the Cummins Power Generation facility on April 3, 2023 in Fridley, Minnesota. The visit is a continuation of the administration's Investing in America tour. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

"Songwriters, actors, and our incredibly talented creative community deserve the right to own their name, image, and likeness (NIL)," Senator Blackburn expressed. "This legislation is a good first step in protecting our creative community, preventing AI models from stealing someone’s NIL. [It ensures] that those rights are given primary consideration under the law. I look forward to joining Senator Coons and my colleagues in the Senate and House to develop strong bipartisan legislation we can pass into law." "More and more, we’re seeing AI used to replicate someone’s likeness and voice in ads, images, and videos without consent or compensation. Our laws need to keep up with this quickly evolving technology,” Senator Klobuchar added. “We must put in place rules of the road to protect people from having their voice and likeness replicated through AI without their permission."

"While AI presents extraordinary opportunities for technological advancement, it also poses some new problems, including the voice and likeness of artists being replicated to create unauthorized works,” Senator Tillis remarked. “We must protect against such misuse. I’m proud to co-introduce this draft legislation to create safeguards from AI and protect the authentic work of these artists." Meanwhile, for more news and updates on artificial intelligence in music, log back into HNHH.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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