Last month, award-winning singer Emily Portman got a message from a fan praising her new album and saying “english folk music is in good hands”. But the message wasn’t quite what it seemed. The “fan” had been corresponding with an AI chatbot trained on Portman’s entire back catalog – lyrics, interviews, even academic papers about her work.

“It was really creepy,” Portman tells BBC News. “it knew so much about me, and it was writing in a style that was very close to my own. It felt like talking to a distorted version of myself.”

Portman is one of a growing number of artists grappling with the implications of artificial intelligence.While AI tools offer exciting possibilities for creativity, they also raise serious questions about copyright, artistic integrity, and the very definition of authorship.

The chatbot, created by a fan named ben, was built using OpenAI’s GPT technology. he fed the AI everything he could find about Portman’s music and persona, and then prompted it to generate new songs and respond to questions as if it where the singer herself.

“I was fascinated by the idea of creating an AI Emily Portman,” Ben explains. “I wanted to see if it could capture the essence of her artistry. I never intended to cause any harm or upset.”

Portman acknowledges Ben’s intentions were good, but she’s concerned about the wider implications. “If anyone can create an AI version of me, what’s to stop them from using it to generate music and sell it as my own?” she asks. “Or to create deepfakes that damage my reputation?”

The issue is complex. Current copyright law generally protects original works of authorship, but it’s unclear how that applies to AI-generated content. if an AI is trained on an artist’s work, does that constitute copyright infringement when it creates something new? And who owns the copyright to the AI-generated work – the artist, the AI developer, or the user who prompted the AI?

“Thes are uncharted waters,” says Dr Annabelle Shaw, a legal expert specialising in intellectual property. “The law hasn’t caught up with the technology.We need to have a serious conversation about how to protect artists’ rights in the age of AI.”

The Musicians’ Union is already campaigning for clearer regulations. “AI poses a significant threat to musicians’ livelihoods,” says Naomi Pohl, the union’s general secretary. “We need to ensure that artists are fairly compensated for the use of thier work in training AI models, and that AI-generated music is clearly labelled as such.”

Some artists are embracing AI as a creative tool. Holly Herndon, an American musician, has developed an AI collaborator called Spawn, which she uses to generate melodies and harmonies. “I see AI as a partner, not a replacement,” she says. “It can help me explore new ideas and push the boundaries of my creativity.”

But for many, like Emily Portman, the risks outweigh the rewards. She’s considering legal options to protect her work and is urging other artists to be vigilant.

“I’m not a technophobe,” she says.”But I believe we need to proceed with caution. We need to protect the human element in music, and ensure that artists are valued for their unique voices and perspectives.”

The case of Emily Portman is a stark warning. As AI technology continues to evolve, the lines between human and machine creativity will become increasingly blurred. And the future of music – and art in general – hangs in the balance.

AI-Generated Album Appears on Folk Singer Emily Portman’s Streaming Pages

While AI-generated music is rife online, it’s frequently enough released under fictitious names, or imitates big stars, but it doesn’t normally appear on their official streaming pages.

There’s now a growing trend, though, for established (but not superstar) artists to be targeted by fake albums or songs that suddenly appear on their pages on Spotify and other streaming services. Even dead musicians have had AI-generated “new” material added to their catalogues.

Recently, folk singer Emily Portman discovered an entire album, titled Orca, had been uploaded to her streaming accounts. Portman doesn’t know who put the album up under her name or why. she was falsely credited as performer, writer and copyright holder. The producer listed in the credits was Freddie Howells – but she says that name doesn’t mean anything to her, and there’s no trace online of a producer or musician of that name.

As for the music itself, while it was enough to convince some fans, the lack of actual human creative input made it sound “vacuous and pristine”, she says.

“I’ll never be able to sing that perfectly in tune. And that’s not the point. I don’t want to. I’m human.”

A few days later, another album popped up on Portman’s streaming pages. This time, less effort had been made to emulate her. It was “20 tracks of instrumental drivel”, she says. “Just AI slop.”

She filed copyright complaints to get the albums taken down,and says the episode has redoubled her “belief in the importance of real creativity,and how it moves people”.

“I hope that the AI music didn’t do that for people,” she continues. “Although I did get an email from somebody saying, ‘Where’s Orca? That’s been on repeat.’ So people have been hoodwinked by it.”

AI-Generated Music Posted Under Names of Taylor Swift Collaborators and Folk Stars

Musicians including those who worked with Taylor Swift on her Folklore album have found their artist profiles used to release fake,AI-generated music.

Aaron Dessner, a key collaborator on Folklore, was alerted to the fraudulent material by concerned fans and friends. “I just started getting messages… about some new music I just released, and how much of a shift it was [stylistically],” he explained. he believes moast listeners quickly recognized the music wasn’t his, describing it as computer-generated.

In Dessner’s case, a track titled “Someone Who’s Love Me” was uploaded under his name, which he characterized as “a Casio keyboard demo with broken English lyrics.” He found the situation “embarrassing and then just kind of confusing,” expressing concern over the accessibility of an artist’s signature and creative identity.

Dessner is not alone. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, J Tillman (Father John Misty), Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), teddy Thompson, and Jakob Dylan have also had fake tracks attributed to them in recent weeks, all appearing to originate from the same source.

The releases share a consistent style of AI-generated artwork and are credited to two record labels with Indonesian-sounding names. A single songwriter, Zyan Maliq Mahardika, is repeatedly listed as the composer, and that name has also appeared on songs mimicking US Christian musicians and metalcore bands.

Spotify has responded by flagging the issue with the distributor and removing the tracks, citing violations of their policy against impersonation. The platform has also stated it will remove any distributor repeatedly allowing such content.

The Rise of AI-Generated Music and the Threat to Artistic Authenticity

The music industry is facing a new challenge: the proliferation of AI-generated music that mimics the styles of established artists. This technology, while innovative, raises serious questions about copyright, artistic integrity, and the future of music creation. Recently, a fake song falsely attributed to the late Blaze Foley surfaced, sparking a debate about the ethical implications of AI “schlock,” as described by musician and record label owner, Rod McDonald.

The Problem of AI Dupes

The incident with Blaze Foley’s alleged song highlights a growing concern. AI can now convincingly replicate an artist’s voice and songwriting style, creating music that sounds remarkably like the original artist. This poses a threat to the legacy of artists, notably those who are no longer able to control their artistic output. The song, created using AI, was clearly not in Foley’s authentic style – a “Texas singer-songwriter from the heart,” according to McDonald.

How AI Music Generation Works

AI music generation typically relies on machine learning algorithms trained on vast datasets of existing music. These algorithms analyze patterns in melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation to create new compositions.Some AI tools can even mimic specific vocal styles, making it possible to generate songs that sound like they were performed by a particular artist. The technology is rapidly evolving, becoming increasingly sophisticated and accessible.

The Ethical Concerns

The use of AI to create music in the style of existing artists raises several ethical concerns:

• Copyright Infringement: Who owns the copyright to AI-generated music that mimics an artist’s style?
• Artistic Integrity: Does AI-generated music devalue the creative process and the unique voice of human artists?
• Misrepresentation: Can AI-generated music mislead listeners into believing they are hearing a genuine work by the artist?
• Exploitation of Legacy: can AI be used to exploit the artistic legacy of deceased artists without their consent or the consent of their estates?

The Response from the Music Industry

The music industry is beginning to grapple with these challenges. Record labels, artists, and legal experts are exploring ways to protect artists’ rights and prevent the unauthorized use of their likenesses and styles. Some potential solutions include:

• legal Frameworks: Developing new laws and regulations to address the specific challenges posed by AI-generated music.
• Technological Solutions: Creating tools to detect AI-generated music and identify instances of copyright infringement.
• Industry Standards: Establishing ethical guidelines for the use of AI in music creation.
• Artist Control: Empowering artists to control how their voices and styles are used in AI-generated music.

The Importance of Authenticity

Rod mcdonald’s concern about the “AI schlock” underscores the importance of authenticity in music. As he points out, Blaze Foley’s songwriting talent was rooted in “total authenticity” – “three chords and the truth.” AI can replicate the technical aspects of music, but it cannot replicate the emotional depth and personal experiences that give music its meaning and resonance.

Key Takeaways

• AI-generated music is becoming increasingly sophisticated and poses a threat to artistic authenticity.
• Ethical concerns surrounding copyright, artistic integrity, and misrepresentation need to be addressed.
• The music industry is exploring legal, technological, and ethical solutions to protect artists’ rights.
• Authenticity remains a crucial element of meaningful music.

Looking Ahead

The rise of AI in music is inevitable. however, it’s crucial to navigate this new landscape responsibly, prioritizing the rights and artistic integrity of human creators. The future of music may involve a collaboration between humans and AI,but it must be a collaboration that respects the value of human creativity and ensures that music remains a genuine expression of the human experience. The industry must proactively address these challenges to prevent the devaluation of art and protect the legacies of artists like blaze Foley.