The recent viral success of the AI-generated song “Heart on My Sleeve,” featuring the voices of popular artists Drake and The Weeknd, has sparked significant debate within the music industry regarding legality and creativity. Since its release in mid-April, the song has amassed over 250,000 streams on Spotify and 10 million views on TikTok, despite neither artist’s involvement in its creation. The song originated from a Twitter account named Ghostwriter, which claimed to have used AI technology to produce it.
While the situation may seem like a minor inconvenience for superstars like Drake and The Weeknd—who can likely rely on their record labels to address the issue—the implications for the broader music industry are far more concerning. “Heart on My Sleeve” highlights a troubling gray area that has emerged with the advent of AI technology, raising alarm bells about the potential for copyright infringement and the impact on artists’ livelihoods.
Rising Concerns Over AI and Copyright
The success of “Heart on My Sleeve” has intensified concerns within the music business, particularly among major corporations that fear AI’s ability to replicate and imitate copyrighted material. Universal Music Group, the label behind both Drake and The Weeknd, has issued warnings to its partners, emphasizing the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. In a statement, the company posed a crucial question: “Which side does the music ecosystem want to be on? On the side of artists, fans, and human creativity, or on the side of impostors who refuse to compensate artists for their work?”
While artists may currently feel some reassurance from social and emotional factors distinguishing genuine talent from artificial replicas, the potential for AI-generated music to overshadow human creativity looms large. The proliferation of free music generators allows users to create various types of tracks—from rap beats to commercial jingles—risking the economic stability of musicians in an already fragile industry.
As AI technology continues to advance, experts warn that it could drastically reshape the creative landscape. Holly Herndon, a musician who has extensively studied AI, highlighted the ease with which infinite media can now be generated in the likeness of existing artists. She questioned whether audiences would value the emotional depth of musicians like Drake, or if they would settle for superficially clever AI products.
The Legal Landscape and Future of AI in Music
The breakout success of “Heart on My Sleeve” has reignited discussions about AI’s role in the music industry, a conversation that has been ongoing since the rise of applications like ChatGPT and image generators like DALL-E. With courts and lawmakers still navigating the complexities of intellectual property in the context of AI, a crucial question remains: What happens when human musicians collaborate with machines?
Martin Clancy, a musician and chair of the global commission on the ethics of AI in the arts, noted that the industry is struggling to adapt to AI’s rapid rise. He emphasized the threat to human-created music, livelihoods, and the recognition of composition as a unique skill.
There have been instances where AI has generated covers of existing songs, leading to potential legal challenges. Notably, artists like Tom Waits and Bette Midler have successfully argued in court for the rights to their vocal performances, asserting their ownership beyond just their musical works.
Drake himself has recently spoken out against the use of his voice in AI-generated covers, stating on Instagram, “AI, this is the last straw.“
However, for artists like Herndon, AI also presents opportunities for creative exploration. She has even sold her AI-generated voice to other musicians, highlighting the potential for ethical and innovative uses of technology. “As an artist, I’m interested in what it means for someone to be me, with my permission, even a better version of me in different ways,” she explained. Herndon believes that while AI can challenge traditional concepts of creativity, it also offers exciting possibilities that could reshape the art world for the better.
As the music industry grapples with these pressing questions, finding a balance between embracing AI’s potential and protecting artists’ rights will be crucial for the future of creativity in music.
