MU Calls on Labour Government to Back Fair Remuneration From AI

We acknowledge the extraordinary benefits AI can bring to society across many industries, including the creative industries.

However, we are once again facing a David and Goliath battle where the big tech and major international corporations ride roughshod over the livelihoods and rights of our members, the music makers - performers, artists, songwriters, composers and music producers.

Unlawful use of creators’ content by Big Tech must end

There must be urgent protections for the human creators whose works are being used by tech firms to train and develop their AI models without consent.

These models have the ability to generate endless new creations at the touch of a keypad, generating potentially unlimited revenue.

It’s already happening and it’s gobbling up opportunities for our members to make a living all the time. There is no deal for our members and there is no mechanism for them to be paid.

Protecting economic growth and creative workers

There is no difference between the economic case for growth through increasing workers’ pay and improving reward for creators. Our members are workers too.

If multinational companies distribute more income to creators in the UK, our whole economy will benefit.

So, we are calling for:

• Explicit consent to be sought from human creators to use their works to train AI models, which means that companies like the major record labels can’t rely on rights-grab in old contracts that were signed before AI even existed.
• Labelling of AI generated works so music consumers have the right to choose if they want to listen to a human or a machine
• Music creators and performers to be guaranteed a fair share of the revenue generated by AI music.

Ensuring the UK is a world leader in music and the arts

The UK music industry has been world-leading for decades.

Everyone, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to work in music.

But unless we stand up and protect today’s musicians and music creators, and ensure being a musician remains a viable career, then British music will be consigned to history.

We call on the Labour Government to stand with us in our David and Goliath battle, and be the champions of the 35,000 talented and highly skilled musicians we represent.