UMG also pointed out that AI technology is being used by scammers to create music snippets that impersonate popular artists, which are then sold as authentic pre-release tracks. Users often engage in 'group buys', pooling their resources to meet the inflated asking prices, unaware that the tracks were not created by the artist, but by AI technology. Despite these issues, UMG does not believe that copyright regulation needs to be updated, but stresses that all stakeholders must remain vigilant to prevent potential problems.
Key takeaways:
- Universal Music Group (UMG) is concerned about the misuse of AI technology in generating and selling fake 'pre-release tracks' of popular artists, which is considered a form of copyright infringement.
- AI-generated tracks are on the rise, with a 175% increase in uploads to online music platforms like Spotify. These tracks often use artist-inspired names and generate royalties that don't go to the original artist or label.
- Scammers are exploiting the demand for leaked pre-release music by using AI to create fake tracks that impersonate popular artists, often selling them for thousands of dollars.
- Despite the potential misuse, UMG also uses AI technology for positive purposes, such as fueling the creative process, optimizing production, marketing, detecting potential infringements, and protecting against cybersecurity threats.