Tennessee Passes ELVIS Act to Safeguard Artist Voices Against AI Exploitation

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has made headlines by signing into law a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at safeguarding artists from unauthorized use of their voices by artificial intelligence technologies. As generative AI continues to evolve, deepfake music—often referred to as AI covers—has surged across popular platforms including YouTube, raising significant concerns within the music industry.

To combat this unauthorized use, the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act enhances existing publicity rights for songwriters and performers. While previous state laws addressed protection related to names, images, and likenesses, the ELVIS Act expands these rights to include voice, a vital asset for Tennessee, known as the heartland of country music. “From Beale Street to Broadway, to Bristol and beyond, Tennessee is renowned for its rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state,” Governor Lee remarked. “As the technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, I thank the general assembly for partnering with us to create legal protections for our best-in-class artists and songwriters.”

The new legislation responds to growing worries among music industry professionals, particularly as iconic singers like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams have seen their voices mimicked by AI to produce songs without consent. Notably, even Elvis Presley, after whom the Act is named, has had his voice manipulated to create AI-generated renditions of contemporary songs, including a rendition of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1992 hit “Baby Got Back.”

Tennessee’s music industry is a substantial contributor to the state’s economy, generating a remarkable $5.8 billion annually. However, as the prevalence of AI technology increases, music industry groups are increasingly apprehensive about its potential ramifications on artists. The creation of AI covers is alarmingly straightforward, involving either the overlay of AI models on human singers or the use of AI-driven voice changers that can synthesize high-quality vocal outputs from existing recordings.

Major record labels are proactive in protecting their artists against unauthorized use of AI. Last April, Universal Music Group issued a stern warning of legal action against streaming platforms hosting AI-generated music, ignited by the rise of a popular AI cover featuring Drake and The Weeknd that caused quite a stir in the music community.

As Governor Lee signed the legislation into effect, representatives from music industry groups expressed their support. Mitch Glazier, chair and CEO of the Recording Industry Association, stated, “We applaud Tennessee’s swift and thoughtful bipartisan leadership against unconsented AI deepfakes and voice clones. We look forward to additional states and the U.S. Congress moving quickly to protect the unique humanity and individuality of all Americans.”

In summary, the ELVIS Act is a significant step in the ongoing discourse regarding AI's impact on creative industries, setting a precedent for protecting the rights of artists in the face of advancing technology. With this law, Tennessee aims to ensure that its rich musical heritage continues to thrive, free from the threats posed by unauthorized AI manipulation.