EPP MEP Eleonora Meleti has tabled a question to the European Commission, asking for clear commitments to protect creators’ rights against the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry. As she pointed out, the use of AI in music production poses serious risks, both for the fair remuneration of artists and for Europe’s cultural diversity, while also threatening human creativity itself. Ms Meleti called on the Commission to take concrete measures for the transparency and regulation of AI-generated music, as well as to promote fairer revenue distribution models on music streaming and VoD platforms.
“Artificial intelligence cannot be an alibi for the degradation of human creativity and the disempowerment of creators. We need clear and binding measures for transparency in the use of AI and fair remuneration of artists. The European Parliament has already prioritised the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and the Commission must take action before it is too late,” said the New Democracy MEP.
The full text of the question follows:
“With the increasing dominance of music streaming and the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) in music creation, there is growing concern that AI may exacerbate existing inequalities, undermine the value of human creativity, threaten fair remuneration models and cultural heritage itself. The European Parliament has underlined the need to improve working conditions and fair remuneration for cultural and creative professionals, in particular creators[1], but also the need for ethical use of AI by creating a clear, timely and visible signal to inform the public about works produced by AI.[2]
The Commission is asked:
1. How does it intend to ensure that music produced by AI does not replace or degrade the work of human creations? Will it introduce specific measures to regulate the use of AI in the music industry, such as mandatory transparency on AI-generated content (output)?
2. Will it take legislative initiatives aimed at fairer revenue allocation models and mechanisms for the protection of cultural diversity and creators' rights in digital music streaming and VoD services, including royalties to use their work for the purpose of training AI?
[1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0405_EL.html
[2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2024-0020_EL.html