In a significant move towards regulating artificial intelligence, the European Parliament has approved the EU’s new Artificial Intelligence Act. The legislation, which sets rules for AI developers across various sectors, including health, education, and generative AI, has been welcomed by music industry bodies. However, concerns remain about its implementation across EU member states.
Everything you need to know:
✓ EU’s AI Act sets rules for AI developers, including transparency requirements and compliance with copyright law
✓ Music industry bodies welcome the legislation, citing its potential global influence on AI regulation
✓ Implementation across EU member states may face challenges, as seen with the 2019 European Copyright Directive
The AI Act requires AI developers to adhere to transparency requirements, including disclosing the data used to train their models and demonstrating compliance with EU copyright law. This aspect of the legislation has particularly resonated with the music industry, which has been advocating for stronger copyright protections in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies.
A coalition of creative-industry bodies, including CISAC, EMMA, GESAC, ICMP, IFPI, Impala, and IMPF, issued a joint statement praising the AI Act. They highlighted the legislation’s potential to provide “first tools for rightsholders to enforce their rights” and its global implications for AI regulation.
ICMP director general John Phelan emphasized the importance of the Act’s training data transparency provisions, stating:
“These training data transparency provisions can have global effect. Our industry applauds the EU co-legislators for sending a clear and balanced signal that copyright matters.”
John Phelan
The music industry’s enthusiasm for the AI Act stems from the EU’s early adoption of comprehensive AI regulations. As one of the first major legislative bodies to address the challenges posed by AI, the EU’s approach could serve as a model for policymakers worldwide.
However, the road to full implementation of the AI Act may not be without obstacles. While the legislation is expected to be adopted by the end of the current legislature, before the European Parliament breaks for its elections in June, much of it won’t be “fully applicable” until 24 months later. This grace period is intended to give companies time to comply with the new regulations, but it also means that individual member states will be responsible for implementing the Act.
The music industry has experienced the challenges of such a process before, most notably with the 2019 European Copyright Directive. Despite the Directive’s approval, its implementation across member states has not always been as smooth as the industry had hoped.
As the AI Act moves towards full adoption, the music industry will likely continue to advocate for strong copyright protections and push for a harmonized implementation across the EU. The Act’s success in addressing the concerns of rightsholders and fostering responsible AI development will largely depend on the commitment of individual member states to enforce its provisions.
While the European Parliament’s approval of the AI Act is a significant milestone, the music industry remains cautiously optimistic about its impact. As AI continues to shape the creative landscape, striking a balance between innovation and the protection of intellectual property rights will be crucial. The EU’s AI Act is a step in the right direction, but its true effectiveness will be determined by the dedication and cooperation of all stakeholders involved.
