Universal Music and Bandlab Unveil AI Partnership Intended to Protect Artist Rights

variety.com:

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Universal Music Group and BandLab Technologies have announced plans for a strategic relationship concentrated on protecting artists’ rights in the age of AI. “Centered on empowering the next generation of artists, including within BandLab’s global community, the alliance will advance the companies’ shared commitment to ethical use of AI and the protection of artist and songwriter rights,” the announcement states. “The companies will also pioneer market-led solutions with pro-creator standards to ensure new technologies serve the creator community effectively and ethically.” BandLab, a cloud-based platform where artists can collaborate and engage with each other, is also the first platform of its kind to pledge support for the Human Artistry Campaign, a global coalition backed by multiple trade groups intended to ensure AI technologies are developed and utilized in ways that emphasize human creativity.

UMG has been aggressive in policing the fast-rising AI companies from using it and its artists’ music to “train” their technologies and in July requested aid from the U.S.

government in doing so. In a parallel move, the company has also worked toward finding ways to explore AI’s possibilities in a legal, licensed way, via its deal with Endel in which its artists will create functional music for such activities as sleep and exercise.

AI has also been at the center of conversations and changes in Grammy rules governing music incorporating generative AI. UMG chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge said of the new deal, “We welcome BandLab’s commitment to an ethical approach to AI through their accessible technology, tools and platform.