Creative works shape our identity, values, and worldview.

And there are fundamental elements of our culture that are uniquely human. Only humans are capable of communicating the endless intricacies, nuances, and complications of the human condition through art - whether it be music, performance, writing, or any other form of creativity.

Developments in artificial intelligence are exciting and could advance the world farther than we ever thought possible. But AI can never replace human expression and artistry.

As new technologies emerge and enter such central aspects of our existence, it must be done responsibly and with respect for the irreplaceable artists, performers, and creatives who have shaped our history and will chart the next chapters of human experience.

These principles outline how we can responsibly use artificial intelligence – to support human creativity and accomplishment with respect to the inimitable value of human artistry and expression.

Join us

sign on in support of these fundamental principles:

principles

Core Principles

for Artificial

Intelligence Applications

in support of human creativity & accomplishment

1. Technology has long empowered human expression, and AI will be no different

For generations, various technologies have been used successfully to support human creativity. Take music, for example... From piano rolls to amplification to guitar pedals to synthesizers to drum machines to digital audio workstations, beat libraries and stems and beyond, musical creators have long used technology to express their visions through different voices, instruments, and devices. AI already is and will increasingly play that role as a tool to assist the creative process, allowing for a wider range of people to express themselves creatively.

Moreover, AI has many valuable uses outside of the creative process itself, including those that amplify fan connections, hone personalized recommendations, identify content quickly and accurately, assist with scheduling, automate and enhance efficient payment systems – and more. We embrace these technological advances.

2. Human created works will continue to play an essential role in our lives

Creative works shape our identity, values, and worldview. People relate most deeply to works that embody the lived experience, perceptions, and attitudes of others. Only humans can create and fully realize works written, recorded, created, or performed with such specific meaning. Art cannot exist independent of human culture.

3. Use of copyrighted works, and the use of voices and likenesses of professional performers, requires authorization and free-market licensing from all rightsholders

We fully recognize the immense potential of AI to push the boundaries for knowledge and scientific progress. However, as with predecessor technologies, the use of copyrighted works requires permission from the copyright owner. AI must be subject to free-market licensing for the use of works in the development and training of AI models. Creators and copyright owners must retain exclusive control over determining how their content is used. AI developers must ensure any content used for training purposes is approved and licensed from the copyright owner, including content previously used by any pre-trained AIs they may adopt. Additionally, performers’ and athletes' voices and likenesses must only be used with their consent and fair market compensation for specific uses.

4. Governments should not create new copyright or other IP exemptions that allow AI developers to exploit creators without permission or compensation

AI must not receive exemptions from copyright, right of publicity, or other intellectual property rights and must comply with core principles of fair market competition and compensation. Creating special shortcuts or legal loopholes for AI would harm creative livelihoods, damage creators’ brands, and limit incentives to create and invest in new works.

5. Copyright should only protect the unique value of human intellectual creativity

Copyright protection exists to help incentivize and reward human creativity, skill, labor, and judgment - not output solely created and generated by machines. Human creators, whether they use traditional tools or express their creativity using computers, are the foundation of the creative industries and we must ensure that human creators are paid for their work.

6. Trustworthiness and transparency are essential to the success of AI and protection of creators

Complete recordkeeping of copyrighted works, performances, and likenesses, including the way in which they were used to develop and train any AI system, is essential. Algorithmic transparency and clear identification of a work’s provenance are foundational to AI trustworthiness. Stakeholders should work collaboratively to develop standards for technologies that identify the input used to create AI-generated output. In addition to obtaining appropriate licenses, content generated solely by AI should be labeled describing all inputs and methodology used to create it – informing consumer choices, and protecting creators and rightsholders.

7. Creators' interests must be represented in policymaking

Policymakers must consider the interests of human creators when crafting policy around AI. Creators live on the forefront of, and are building and inspiring, evolutions in technology and as such need a seat at the table in any conversations regarding legislation, regulation, or government priorities regarding AI that would impact their creativity and the way it affects their industry and livelihood.

Members

ACCESS COPYRIGHT
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION
ACTRA TORONTO
AFL-CIO
AGEDI
AGINPRO
AIMP
AISGE
ALLIANCE DES MANAGERS D'ARTISTES
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC (A2IM)
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS
AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTISTS
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHERS
AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION
AMI PARAGUAY
AMPROFON
APM
ART ES ÉTICA ARTIVISMO Y AUTORÍAS DE HABLA HISPANA
ARTIST MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
ARTIST RIGHTS ALLIANCE
ARTIST RIGHTS WATCH
ASCAP
ASIAR (ASOCIACIÓN DE SELLOS INDEPENDIENTES DE ARGENTINA)
ASSOCIATION DES PROFESSIONNELS DE L'ÉDITION MUSICALE
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN LITERARY AGENTS
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PUBLISHERS
ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC
ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHERS
ASSOCIATION OF RECORDING COPYRIGHT OWNERS OF TAIWAN
ASSOCIATION OF WRITERS & WRITING PROGRAMS
AUDIOGEST
AUDIO NETWORK
AUSTIN TEXAS MUSICIANS
AUSTRALIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (ARIA)
AUTEURSBOND (DUTCH AUTHOR'S GUILD)
AUTHORS GUILD
AUTODIA
BELGIAN INDEPENDENT MUSIC ASSOCIATION
BLACK MUSIC ACTION COALITION
BMI
BMYD (TURKISH ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT LABELS)
BPI
BULGARIAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC PRODUCERS
BUMASTEMRA
BVMI
CÀMARA URUGUAYA DEL DISCO
CAPIF
CENTER FOR INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM
CHOREOGRAPHERS GUILD
CHRISTIAN MUSIC TRADE ASSOCIATION
CHURCH MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
CISAC
CMRRA
CONCEPT ART ASSOCIATION
COPYRIGHT CLEARANCE CENTER
CREATORS RIGHTS ALLIANCE
CSDEM
DEPARTMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO
DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA
DIRECTORS GUILD OF CANADA - NATIONAL
DIRECTORS GUILD OF CANADA - ONTARIO

DUP
EUROPEAN COMPOSER & SONGWRITER ALLIANCE
EUROPEAN WRITERS' COUNCIL
FAIR TRADE MUSIC INTERNATIONAL
FEATURED ARTISTS COALITION
FEDERATION OF MUSIC PRODUCERS - JAPAN
FEDERAZIONE INDUSTRIA MUSICALE ITALIANA (FIMI)
FINNISH MUSIC CREATORS
FINNISH MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
FUTURE OF MUSIC COALITION
GEORGIA MUSIC PARTNERS
GIAA
GLOBAL MUSIC RIGHTS
GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION
GRAMEX FINLAND
GRAPHIC ARTISTS GUILD
GVL
IATSE
IFPI
IFPI CHILE
IFPI DENMARK
IFPI SWEDEN
IFPI SWITZERLAND
IMPALA
IMPF
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
INDEPENDENT MUSIC COALITION JAPAN
INDEPENDENT SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS
INDIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY
INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATION OF WRITERS GUILDS
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF MUSIC PUBLISHERS
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ACTORS
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF REPRODUCTION RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS
IPMG
#IRESPECTMUSIC
IRISH MUSIC RIGHTS ORGANISATION
IRISH RECORDED MUSIC ASSOCIATION
IVORS ACADEMY
LEAGUE OF AMERICAN ORCHESTRAS
LIGUE DES AUTEURS PROFESSIONNELS
LIVING LEGENDS FOUNDATION
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
MUSIC ARTISTS COALITION
MUSIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
MUSIC CANADA
MUSIC CREATORS NORTH AMERICA
MUSIC MANAGERS FORUM - US
MUSIC PUBLISHERS CANADA
MUSIC TECH POLICY
MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
MUSIC WORKERS ALLIANCE
MUSIIKKITUOTTAJAT - IFPI FINLAND
NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VOICE ACTORS
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL INDEPENDENT TALENT ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL INDEPENDENT VENUES ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL MUSIC COUNCIL OF THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL MUSIC PUBLISHERS' ASSOCIATION
NEWS MEDIA ALLIANCE
THE NEWSGUILD - COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA
NFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

NHL PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION
NONCOMMUSIC ALLIANCE
NORTH AMERICAN NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY ASSOCIATION
NVPI
OPEIU
ORGANIZACIÓN DE VOCES UNIDAS
PANAMANIAN SOCIETY OF PHONOGRAPHIC PRODUCERS
PHONOGRAPHIC PERFORMANCE COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA
PHONOGRAPHIC PERFORMANCE IRELAND
PRO-MÚSICA BRASIL
PRODUCTION MUSIC ASSOCIATION
PROFESSIONAL AUDIOBOOK NARRATORS ASSOCIATION
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF AMERICA
PROMÚSICA COLOMBIA
PROMUSICAE
PRS FOR MUSIC
RECORDED ARTISTS, ACTORS AND PERFORMERS (RAAP)
RECORDED MUSIC NZ
RECORDING ACADEMY
RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
RHYTHM & BLUES FOUNDATION
RISA
RIT
ROCKCITY HAMBURG
SACEM
SAG-AFTRA
SCREEN COMPOSERS GUILD OF CANADA
SESAC
SGAE
SGP PARAGUAY
SNEP
SOCAN
SOCIEDAD ESPAÑOLA DE DERECHOS DE AUTOR (SEDA)
SOCIETY OF AUTHORS
SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS & LYRICISTS
SOCIETY OF FINNISH COMPOSERS
SONGWRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA
SONGWRITERS OF NORTH AMERICA
SOUNDEXCHANGE
SPACQ
SPANISH MUSIC FEDERATION
STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY
STOMP
SVENSKA OBEROENDE MUSIKPRODUCENTER
SX WORKS
SYNCHRONVERBAND E.V. - DIE GILDE
TEOSTO (FINNISH COMPOSERS' COPYRIGHT SOCIETY)
THE TRICHORDIST
UK MUSIC
UNIÃO BRASILEIRA DE COMPOSITORES
UNIMPRO
UNION DES PRODUCTEURS PHONOGRAPHIQUES FRANÇAIS INDÉPENDANTS
UNIÓN FONOGRÁFICA INDEPENDIENTE
UNITED MUSICIANS AND ALLIED WORKERS
VERBAND UNABHÄNGIGER MUSIKUNTERNEHMEN*INNEN E.V.
VTMÖ
WIN
WORKBOOK CREATIVE, INC
WORLD VOICES
WRITERS GUILD OF CANADA
WRITERS' UNION OF CANADA
ZPAV