Artist rights and identity protections against generative AI

Legal and creative professionals are increasingly raising concerns regarding the impact of generative artificial intelligence on artist identity and intellectual property rights.

In the United States, discussions at the Artist Rights Symposium focused on the legal challenges posed by generative AI companies like Suno and Udio. Experts highlighted that while current copyright settlements with record companies may provide new revenue streams, they often require artists to opt in through agreements that could contain “hidden waivers regarding the right of publicity.” Unlike previous digital platform disputes, generative AI presents the unique risk of replicating an artist’s specific voice, performance, and identity.

In Europe, during the Rome Film Festival, artists and institutions called for urgent regulations to prevent the “vampirization” of artistic identities. Representatives from Nuovo Imaie warned that unauthorized cloning of faces and voices could impact the economic and psychological well-being of performers. While the Burano Artificial Intelligence Film Festival in Venice showcased the creative potential of the technology, the broader consensus among performers emphasized that AI should remain a technical tool rather than a replacement for human creativity.