Tennessee Proposes Landmark ELVIS Act to Safeguard Musicians Against AI Impersonation

In a significant gathering at Nashville's historic RCA Studio B, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced an initiative to introduce groundbreaking legislation designed to protect the integrity of the music industry against the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). The proposed legislation is known as the ELVIS Act, an acronym for Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act, aiming to establish a legal framework to shield artists from unauthorized AI impersonations of their voices and images.

Understanding the ELVIS Act

The ELVIS Act is inspired by previous protections put in place to safeguard the identity of the legendary Elvis Presley. This legislation is in response to the growing concerns regarding AI's capability to mimic and utilize the unique vocal attributes of performers without consent. The bill's introduction is based on the premise that the creative contributions of artists, engineers, and producers must be respected and protected from being replicated or exploited by AI technologies.

The Coalition's Support and Broad Implications

At the announcement, a broad coalition of music industry professionals displayed their support for the ELVIS Act, which could set a precedent for national and international protections. Representatives from assorted trade organizations, encompassing a diversity of genres and regions, united in their stance to defend artist rights amid the rising use of AI in music creation. The act is particularly aimed at preventing incidents like the unauthorized viral 'collaboration' between Drake and The Weeknd, which was fabricated using AI.

Legal Perspectives and National Moves

Legal experts suggest that amending 'right to publicity' laws to include the use of an individual's voice is a promising approach to adapting existing legislation to the advancements of AI. The announcement of the Tennessee bill aligns with broader efforts, such as those by SAG-AFTRA, to secure creatives' control over the use of their voices and likenesses. Although Tennessee is the pioneer at the state level, there are similar movements at the federal level, with the NO FAKES Act and the NO AI FRAUD Act recently making their way into congressional consideration.

legislation, protection, AI