RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) CEO Mitch Glazier discussed the implications of generative AI on the music industry, highlighting concerns over copyright and the artist-fan connection. Unlike the Napster era, where fans and the industry were frequently at odds, Glazier notes that fans, creators, and record labels are now largely united in their desire to protect human-made music.
Glazier pointed out that AI companies are training their models on copyrighted works without permission, risking a flood of AI-generated content on streaming platforms. To combat the unauthorized use of voice and likeness in deepfakes, the RIAA is lobbying for policies such as the federal NO FAKES Act, which aims to establish a new intellectual property right for individuals.
Emphasizing that consumers do not want to feel deceived by AI-generated tracks, Glazier predicts that streaming platforms will inevitably be forced to implement labeling systems for fully machine-generated music. He suggests that global transparency laws and market competition will compel tech companies to adopt these measures.
Regarding platinum certifications and music charts, the RIAA is currently maintaining its traditional methodologies. However, Glazier noted that chart providers globally are beginning to adopt a "substantially human" requirement for chart eligibility to filter out purely AI-generated tracks.