ELVIS Act Targeting AI Misuse Gains Unanimous Support in Tennessee
Summary:
The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, aimed at protecting individuals' voice, image, and likeness against misuse by AI, gained unanimous support in Tennessee's Senate and House Commerce Committees. The bill, introduced by State Governor Bill Lee, resonated with the state's vibrant music community. During the hearings, various artists expressed their concerns about AI-generated fake content involving unauthorized use of artists' voice or image. Despite the controversy around AI, the music industry sees the technology as a potential creative amplifier, provided appropriate safeguards are set.
On February 27th, the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act — aimed at safeguarding individual identity facets against the improper and unethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) — successfully garnered unanimous bipartisan approval in Tennessee's Senate and House Commerce Committees. Given that Tennessee' capital is renowned as "Music City USA" and the state houses a thriving music industry, it was expected that the bill, introduced by State Governor, Bill Lee, in January, would receive widespread support. During hearings, notable figures from the music world like Christian artists Natalie Grant and Matt Maher, and Evanescence co-founder David Hodges expressed their take on the matter. Matt Maher stated that his individuality is essentially defined by his unique voice and image, and unauthorized use of these aspects is a violation of personal and fundamental importance. Todd Dupler, the acting chief advocacy and public policy officer of the Recording Academy (the organizing body for the annual Grammy Awards) was also present at the hearing. Cointelegraph interviewed Dupler concerning the Academy's initiatives in promoting and defending artists' rights, especially in the AI space. Dupler stated that amongst all AI-related concerns facing the creative community, the most straightforward to comprehend involves AI-generated fake content. He emphasized that unauthorized use of someone's voice, image or likeness is basically wrong. In the U.S., many states have a "right of publicity" law in place to protect artists from unauthorized use of their name or image for promotional or merchandising purposes. Nonetheless, most of these laws were enacted prior to the digital age and hence, don't cover online spaces or digital reproductions. This is where Dupler sees the need to modernize such laws for the digital era, with Tennessee setting an ideal example with its robust right of publicity law, famously used by Elvis Presley's estate to protect his legacy. Dupler also revealed the Recording Academy's efforts in crafting this legislation and gaining Governor Bill Lee's support. Expressing optimism about the bill's passage and enactment, he said now the bill would proceed to the floors of the House and Senate for a full vote. Despite the contentious nature of the topic, it has emerged as a unifying force within the music industry. Remarking upon the industry's successful lobbying efforts in the recent past, Dupler referred to the enactment of the Music Modernization Act in 2018 (which updated music licensing laws for the first time in over two decades) and the Save our Stages Act in 2020 (which led to a massive COVID-relief funds injection into the arts sector). With AI at the core of protecting voice, likeness, and image rights, there's a general sense of hope for achieving the same level of success this time around. Even politicians have not been spared from the deepfake menace. Earlier this year, scammers created a deepfake of President Joe Biden's voice in a scheme to discourage voters from participating in a local election. Beyond the applicability of the ELVIS Act to artists and public figures, the wider public would potentially benefit from this law. As an example, Dupler referenced artist Lainey Wilson's experience of having her image used, without permission, in weight loss gummy ads. On a broader note, Dupler said the Recording Academy believes that AI could democratize music creation and enhance creative efficiencies, provided appropriate safeguards are set up in time. Recording Academy CEO, Harvey Mason Jr. shared this viewpoint in a previous interview with Cointelegraph, stating that while regulation is necessary, AI could serve as a "creative amplifier".
Published At
3/8/2024 4:44:33 PM
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