Tennessee Approves ELVIS Act to Shield Musicians from AI Exploitation
Summary:
The Tennessee House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee unanimously approved the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act (aka the ELVIS Act). Designed to protect musicians from exploitation through artificial intelligence (AI), the act was introduced by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee in January 2024. It aims to combat unethical AI practices such as unauthorized use of artists' voice, image, or likeness. It has statewide coverage and also received support from various state leaders. This move is significant considering that Nashville, Tennessee's capital, is one of the top cities for music business in the U.S.
A bill designed to safeguard musicians from exploitation through artificial intelligence (AI) was unanimously endorsed by the Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee of the Tennessee House on February 13, The act, referred to as the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act, or ELVIS, HB 2091, was proposed in January 2024 by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to combat unethical AI practices, such as unapproved exploitation of an artist's voice, image, or likeness.
ELVIS represents the music industry within Tennessee, though its coverage is statewide, and received support from State Senate Majority Leader, Jack Johnson from Franklin, and House Majority Leader, William Lamberth from Portland.
The capital of Tennessee, Nashville, is recognized as one of the United States' top three cities for music business. The local economy benefits from a $5.5 billion contribution from Nashville's music scene, as accounted for by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with overall effects on the Nashville area estimated at $9.7 billion.
Because of that, the ELVIS Act's introduction in Tennessee bears considerable significance. In the subcommittee meeting, singer-actress Chrissy Metz was heard alongside Nashville Songwriter Association board member and songwriter Jamie Moore and RIAA's senior vice president for public policy, Jessie Richard.
Moore raised concerns about the highly rapid growth of generative AI, suggesting it could completely alter the music industry. He stated that unauthorized use of a song which was inspired by a songwriter's personal experiences and turned into a rendition the original artist didn't approve or perform – amounts to theft.
He emphasized the importance of music to local culture and economy and lauded Tennessee's commitment to safeguarding creatives, asserting how valuable human creativity is and should be protected against unauthorized exploitation. With the ELVIS Act, Tennessee law is modernized to include 'voice', ensuring unauthorized AI-rendered fake songs can be contested legally within the state, he explained.
Richard from the RIAA reminded people that the ELVIS Act would apply to everyone, as all Tennesseans have the right to protection for their voices and likenesses.
This subcommittee's endorsement came on the back of nearly 300 creatives, including the CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., supporting the No AI Fraud Act, a federal bill that aims to provide comparable protection to artists against AI.
Published At
2/15/2024 4:21:03 PM
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