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EntertainmentTechnology205 words2 min read

AI copies famous singers and makes new, popular songs

AI copies famous singers and makes new, popular songs
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The new song "Heart on My Sleeve" has gotten a lot of attention. After it reached the top spot on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, it was removed.

The song was created using AI and the voices in the song sound exactly like music artists Drake and The Weeknd. However, the artists have no connection to the song.

Because of the song, there are now serious discussions about laws, and how to use AI responsibly.

Despite the popularity of "Heart on My Sleeve", Drake's music label, Universal Music Group, asked music streaming services to remove the song. Universal says that the song violates the label's copyrights.

According to Universal, training AI systems with their music and then sharing it is not allowed.

There are many legal and ethical questions about AI-generated media. Some music artists say that AI is good for the music industry, but each artist should be responsible for protecting their own work.

Of course, artists and music labels are worried about losing money, too.

There's now an organization called The Human Artistry Campaign that supports art made by real people, not AI. 

The organization wants to help create rules and guidelines that music labels, artists, music platforms, and fans can easily follow.

Vocabulary26 words

Attention
notice; thought; interest; awareness; focus
Reach
hit; achieve; make it to; attain;
Top spot
The first/best position in a ranking;
Platform
an online business that provides a service or connects people and businesses
Remove
to take out; to take away from; take off; to stop; to eliminate
Artificial intelligence (AI)
human intelligence in a machine. See more here.
Music artist
A person who creates or performs music
Law
a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
Responsibly
Doing something in a way that is careful and considerate of others
Despite
In spite of; or regardless of; even though
Popularity
how much something is liked or not liked; the level or amount something is admired, enjoyed or liked
Music label
A company that promotes, distributes, and sells music
Streaming service
an online platform that allows users to watch videos, movies, or TV shows on demand over the internet (Netflix, Disney+)
Violate
break a rule; do something that’s not allowed
Copyright
©; protection from someone copying your work
According to
as ‘someone’ said; as stated by ‘someone’; in the opinion of ‘someone’
Train AI
To teach an artificial intelligence system to recognize patterns and make predictions
Allowed
permission to do something; it’s OK; permitted; you may; you can
Legal
related to or connected to law;
Ethical
relating to beliefs about what is morally right and wrong; relating to moral principles and values that help us decide what is right or wrong in human behavior
AI-generated
Something that is created/made by an artificial intelligence system
Industry
business field; area of work or business; type of business
Responsible for
to be officially in charge of something; in control of; held accountable for something
Protect
keep safe or secure; guard; defend
Organization
a group of people with one purpose; an agency; a society; company
Guideline
A set of instructions or rules that give direction on how to do something

Discussion questions

  1. How do you think the music industry will change in the next 10 years as AI technology continues to improve?
  2. If you were a musician, would you be willing to collaborate with AI on a music project? Why or why not?
  3. In your opinion, are organizations like The Human Artistry Campaign necessary?
  4. Do you think that using AI to create music is ethical? Why or why not?

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