As AI deepfakes surge, FKA Twigs champions the cause of artists’ rights
On April 30, 2023, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property convened to discuss the bipartisan NO FAKES Act, a proposed law designed to regulate the use of artificial intelligence and protect individuals from the unauthorized exploitation of their likeness. Among the voices advocating for stronger protections was none other than the innovative artist FKA twigs. Known for her eclectic blend of music, dance, and performance, Twigs delivered a powerful testimony that went beyond a typical plea for regulation—it became a deeply personal reflection on the impact of AI on creative expression.
In a letter submitted to the committee, Twigs expressed her concerns about the potential for deepfake technology to hijack and distort her artistic identity. With a blend of vulnerability and strength, she detailed how deeply intertwined her music, dance, and acting are with her sense of self. “My music, my dancing, my acting, the way that my body moves in front of a camera and the way that my voice resonates through a microphone—these are not mere coincidences,” she wrote. “They are the very essence of who I am.” Her testimony emphasized that her art is more than just entertainment; it is the foundation of her livelihood and the way she expresses her identity to the world.
However, Twigs warned of the dangers AI poses to artists like herself. She highlighted how these technologies, while capable of amplifying creative expression, also have the power to be used for exploitation. “Those who control AI hold the power to mimic the likeness of my art, to replicate it and falsely claim my identity and intellectual property,” she cautioned. The threat of deepfakes becoming tools for malicious actors looms large, with the potential to distort an artist’s work and identity without their consent.
Despite these concerns, Twigs revealed that she has embraced AI herself in an attempt to take control of her own digital presence. “In the past year, I have developed my own deepfake version of myself,” she shared. This AI version, trained in her personality and able to speak in her exact tone of voice across multiple languages, represents a way for Twigs to extend her artistic reach while maintaining control over her identity. She plans to use this AI to handle her social media interactions, giving her more time to focus on her art from the sanctuary of her studio.
Yet, Twigs stressed the importance of artists retaining control over these powerful tools. “These emerging technologies are highly valuable tools both artistically and commercially when under the control of the artist,” she noted. What she finds unacceptable is the ability of third parties to exploit an artist’s likeness without their permission, potentially profiting off someone else’s work and identity without consent.
Twigs also drew attention to the wider ethical implications of this technology. “The vulnerable public will experience the same type of exploitation in the future,” she warned. Her advocacy wasn’t just for the protection of artists, but for all individuals whose likeness and identity could be used as commodities without their consent. She urged the committee to take action, not just for current creators, but to safeguard future generations from the unchecked exploitation of AI deepfakes.
In her final plea, FKA twigs implored lawmakers to act swiftly: “By protecting artists with legislation at such a momentous moment in our history, we are protecting a five-year-old child in the future from having their voice, likeness, and identity taken and used as a commodity without prior consent, attribution, or compensation.”
Her testimony stands as a powerful call for ethical regulation in the age of artificial intelligence, ensuring that creativity and identity remain protected in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
