TENNESSEE OUTLAWS AI FAKES

The first state law establishing protections from AI fakes was OK’d in Tennessee today and the music community gave it a standing O.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act at the Nashville honky-tonk Robert’s Western World surrounded by Luke Bryan, RIAA CEO/Chairman Mitch Glazier, the Recording Academy’s Todd Dupler and assorted politicians.

The ELVIS Act, the first state legislation to protect songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals’ voice and likeness from the misuse of AI, officially goes into effect on 7/1.

State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44) shepherded the ELVIS Act to unanimous General Assembly passage (a 93-0 vote in the House of Representatives and 30-0 in the Senate).

Here are some of the positive reactions.

“The Recording Academy celebrates the passage of the ELVIS Act as a groundbreaking achievement in the effort to protect human creators in the age of AI,” said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “This milestone represents the power of collaboration, and it was a privilege to work with our partners in the Human Artistry Campaign, Gov. Lee, and the Tennessee state legislature to move the ELVIS Act forward. Today is just the beginning—as AI continues to develop, the Recording Academy and our members will continue to support meaningful legislation across the country that uplifts music people and human creativity.”

Glazier said, “This incredible result once again shows that when the music community stands together, there’s nothing we can’t do. We applaud Tennessee’s swift and thoughtful bipartisan leadership against unconsented AI deepfakes and voice clones and look forward to additional states and the U.S. Congress moving quickly to protect the unique humanity and individuality of all Americans.”

“Fittingly named after one of the world’s most iconic voices, the ELVIS Act marks a history-defining moment – protecting us all from irresponsible and unethical AI. The Human Artistry Campaign applauds this strong, bipartisan effort to stop unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes and voice clones that steal essential parts of our individuality,” said Dr. Moiya McTier, Human Artistry Campaign senior advisor. “The life’s work and irreplaceable contributions of the creative community to our culture deserve safeguards that allow AI technology to be used responsibly without violating anyone’s rights or appropriating their art.”

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite added, “The Elvis Act is an important step forward in the fight to value songwriters and artists in the age of AI. Impersonating creators is the ultimate theft and this lays the groundwork for strong protections against unethical imitations. We’ve already seen the potential of voice replication and it is essential that we codify parameters before it becomes an even greater threat to the integrity of music.”

On a national level, the U.S. Congress has the NO FAKES proposal and No AI FRAUD Act on their desks that artists, musicians, songwriters and actors have endorsed.

Photo: Getty Images for Human Artistry Campaign