--- title: "Record Labels Terrified by Rise of AI Music Generators" description: "AI-powered generator tools that can create brand new and uncanny music tracks at the click of a button are worrying record labels." date: "2022-10-24" modified: "2022-10-24" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/riaa-ai-music-generators" categories: - "Artificial Intelligence" tags: - "ai music" - "artificial intelligence" - "music" - "the digest" --- # Record Labels Terrified by Rise of AI Music Generators ![AI-powered generator tools that can create brand new and uncanny music tracks at the click of a button are worrying record labels.]() *\Image: Getty Images/Futurism\* ## AI Music Artificial intelligence-powered generator tools that can create [brand new music tracks at the click of a button]() are starting to come for musicians' livelihoods — and that has lobbyist groups deeply concerned. Case in point, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is worried that AI-powered music generators could threaten both the wallets and rights of human artists. In response to the Office of the US Trade Representative's request for comment, the RIAA [issued a statement](), condoning the use of AI music generators. Online services that use AI to "extract, or rather, copy, the vocals, instrumentals, or some portion of the instrumentals (a music stem) from a sound recording" to "generate, master or remix a recording to be very similar to or almost as good as reference tracks by select, well known sound recording artists" are infringing on its members' "rights by making unauthorized copies of our members works," the RIAA wrote in a [new statement]() to the Office of the US Trade Representative. ## Taking Action The RIAA listed a number of different services, ranging from ones that separate vocals from backing tracks to those that master songs in the style of famous artists. As [*Vice* points out](), the trade organization has a long history of suing for copyright infringement and going after music piracy — so the statement could signal that AI music generators are its next target. But whether these AI-generated tracks are actually infringing on musicians' rights remains to be seen, as there isn't much legal precedent. It's a fascinating glimpse into the near future that leaves us with plenty of questions: are these tools simply democratizing access to powerful art creation tools, or are they ripping off the artists they were originally inspired by? For now, we'll have to wait and see if the RIAA and other groups like it decide to take action. **READ MORE:** [Record Labels Say AI Music Generators Threaten Music Industry]() \[*Vice*\] **More on AI music generators:** *[AI That Generates Music from Prompts Should Probably Scare Musicians]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()