10.05.2023: UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin appeared before MPs to outline the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music industry.

Giving evidence to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee of MPs on Wednesday (May 10), Jamie explained: “The impact of AI is having huge implications across society.”

The cross-party committee is conducting an inquiry into the Governance of AI and is looking at the impact of AI in the creative industries, as well as the implications for intellectual property (IP) and copyright law.

Jamie said: “Across the industry there has been an appetite to be using new tech and innovations…where there’s been concern is in terms of how that interacts with rightsholders and copyright.”

He added: “I think it’s a basic principle that if you are using someone else’s work, you need permission for that and you need to be observing and respecting the copyright.”

The UK Music Chief Executive said: “I’d split it into two when it comes to AI and the music industry. There is AI as an assistive tool and AI in terms of generative.

“In terms of as an assistive tool the industry has been embracing technology and innovation for decades.

“We use AI in terms of identifying copyright infringement, using it in terms of looking at audience analytics, business models. Across the industry there has been a real appetite to be using new technologies and innovations.

“I think where there has been a lot more concern is where it’s going in terms of generative AI. Particularly how that interacts with rightsholders and the current copyright regime.”

Jamie added: “I think it’s a basic principle that if you are using someone else’s work you need permission for that and you need to be observing and respecting the copyright. That’s the foundation of the industry. That’s what the industry has built its success on.

“The key thing is that we grow our AI sector in tandem with the creative industries and ensure we have those right frameworks in place.

“The creative sector supports millions of jobs. It’s a really important we have these conversations.”

Jamie thanked the MPs for holding their inquiry. He said some felt as if the creative industries had not been fully included in the debate around AI – despite the huge impact it would have on the sector.

You can watch Jamie’s evidence session to MPs here.

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