In a music industry increasingly threatened by artificial intelligence, Celine Dion has become the latest high-profile artist to speak out against unauthorized AI-generated content falsely attributed to her. The Grammy-winning vocalist’s team issued a formal warning to fans last Friday through her official Instagram account.
“It has come to our attention that unsanctioned, AI-generated music purporting to contain Celine Dion’s musical performances, and name and likeness, is currently circulating online and across various Digital Service Providers,” the statement read. “Please be advised that these recordings are fake and not approved, and are not songs from her official discography.”
While Dion’s team didn’t specifically identify any particular recordings, an AI-generated cover of the gospel song “Heal Me Lord” – falsely attributed to Dion – has recently gained over one million views on YouTube, highlighting the growing problem of AI voice cloning in music.
This development comes amid Dion’s gradual return to the public eye following her 2022 diagnosis with stiff person syndrome, which halted her performances until a memorable appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Just this week, she delighted fans by spontaneously singing “My Heart Will Go On” during an ESPN interview at a TGL golf match, playfully changing the lyrics to “I believe that my ball will go on.”
Dion joins a growing chorus of music industry veterans speaking out against AI’s unchecked growth. Brian May of Queen expressed concern about AI that “this theft has already been performed and is unstoppable,” while Paul McCartney warned that proposed changes to copyright laws could allow AI to “rip off artists and result in a loss of creativity.” Similarly, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin condemned AI content generation as “exploitation, not innovation.”
The impact of AI on the music industry is already substantial. A recent study predicts music professionals could lose approximately 25% of their income to AI over the next four years. Streaming platform Deezer reports receiving around 10,000 AI-generated tracks daily, constituting roughly 10% of all music uploads.
This isn’t the first time artists have raised concerns about AI voice impersonation. Last year, Cher called for restrictions on AI voice cloning after hearing an automated version of herself covering Madonna, calling the experience “kind of shocking.”Last year, Joe Biden proposed a ban on AI voice impersonation, which could significantly impact musicians – protecting them from unauthorized voice use while potentially stifling creativity.
While some artists like Daniel Bedingfield have embraced AI technology for creating new music (claiming his AI-assisted drum and bass album is “better than any D&B I’ve created in the past 20 years”), others like Robbie Williams’ songwriter Guy Chambers warn of AI’s “terrifying” impact on the industry, suggesting future albums may need “all-human record” labels to differentiate from AI-generated music.
As fans, we must remain vigilant about the content we consume and support artists’ rights to protect their creative work and likeness. If you’re looking for authentic Celine Dion music, stick to her official releases through verified channels and platforms.
What do you think about AI-generated music? Is it harmless creativity or a genuine threat to artists’ livelihoods? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
