Sony Music Entertainment has revealed taking down over 75,000 AI-generated deepfake tracks as part of their response to the UK's proposed AI regulations. This disclosure came during a consultation on AI copyright regulations, where the UK government proposed an "opt-out" system for AI training on protected materials.

The scale of unauthorized AI-generated content is significant, with Sony Music reporting an increase from 10,000 takedowns in November 2023 to over 75,000 currently. This represents approximately 144 flagged works per day during this period.

Sony Music strongly opposes the UK's proposed opt-out approach, arguing it would:

• Harm artists' rights and interests
• Disrupt existing training-license negotiations
• Negatively impact intellectual property protection
• Create potential economic damage

The UK government's response to these concerns has been to delay the AI Bill's publication until at least summer, while they continue reviewing consultation feedback to "design the best possible policy."

This pushback from Sony Music joins similar opposition from other major music industry players, including:

• Major record labels
• Merlin
• AIM (Association of Independent Music)
• Various non-music industry stakeholders

While Sony Music's content identification systems appear to be catching many unauthorized AI-generated tracks, there are concerns that some deepfakes may still slip through and that the problem could worsen in the coming years as AI technology advances.

The ongoing discussions highlight the complex balance between fostering AI innovation and protecting intellectual property rights in the music industry. The UK government's final decision on these regulations could set important precedents for AI regulation in the creative industries globally.

Related Articles

Previous Articles