TOPLINE
Only “human creators” can be nominated for Grammy Awards, according to new eligibility requirements released Friday by the Recording Academy, as the music industry adds new limitations for songs produced by artificial intelligence.
KEY FACTS
Any work that features elements created by AI must also feature a “human authorship component” that is “meaningful” in order to be considered for a Grammy Award, according to new requirements released Friday by the Recording Academy.
The Recording Academy previously said it “embraces advances in technology,” adding it wanted to ensure “human creativity and passion is protected.”
Other eligibility changes require artists to account for at least 20% of a work in order for it to be considered.
The number of people eligible for the Grammy’s “Big Four” categories—best new artist and best new album, song and record—was also decreased from 10 to eight.
TANGENT
Paul McCartney announced Tuesday that a “final” Beatles song would be released later this year after it was completed with the help of AI. McCartney—who did not name the song—said the technology was used to “extricate” John Lennon’s voice from a demo tape, while Lennon’s “pure” vocals” were used to complete the song.
SURPRISING FACT
Researchers at Meta announced an open-sourced AI program—MusicGen—last week that allows users to generate music based on text input.
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KEY BACKGROUND
AI-generated music became a social media trend this year, including AI-created songs that featured Drake, Kendrick Lamar, the Weeknd and others. Universal Music Group sent a letter to streaming services—like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and TikTok—in April requesting they prevent AI programs from accessing their platforms to train on copyrighted lyrics and melodies, according to the Financial Times. The U.S. Copyright Office will only offer copyright to works “created by a human being,” adding it will not “register works produced by a machine.” The Recording Academy—which presents the Grammy Awards—said it is working with the copyright office to discuss possible regulations for AI-generated music, adding it wants to “ensure human creativity is always at the forefront of copyright policy.”
FURTHER READING
AI You Need Is Love: Artificial Intelligence Helps Create ‘Final’ Beatles Song, Paul McCartney Says (Forbes)