Tennessee Passes ELVIS Act to Protect Artists Against AI Misuse

In a significant move for the creative community, Tennessee has introduced a new law aimed at preventing the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in replicating artists' voices and likenesses. The bipartisan 'Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act' received praise from creatives across the United States, marking a significant step towards safeguarding their identities in the digital age.

ELVIS Act Becomes Law

On March 21, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee officially signed the ELVIS Act into law during an event in Nashville. This new law, which takes effect on July 1, aims to upgrade current state legislation related to the right of publicity, ensuring better protection for performers, songwriters, and industry professionals.

Reaction from the Creative Community

The creative community, including music industry leaders, artists, and advocates, welcomed the ELVIS Act's adoption with open arms. Statements from various prominent figures in the music industry and creative sectors emphasized the importance and necessity of the law in the face of emerging AI technologies that could potentially exploit and misappropriate the unique identities of creators.

Details of the ELVIS Act

The ELVIS Act extends Tennessee's Protection of Personal Rights law to specifically address the challenges posed by AI. Unlike previous laws that protected names, images, and likenesses, the ELVIS Act includes measures to guard against the unauthorized creation of 'deepfakes' or AI-generated content that imitates an individual's voice or appearance. By doing so, it seeks to uphold the integrity and humanity of creators, shielding them from potential exploitation and preserving the authenticity of their work.

Setting a Precedent

Many see the ELVIS Act as a pioneering piece of legislation in the U.S., hoping that it will set a precedent for similar federal laws and statewide acts across the country. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the Act stands as a testament to Tennessee's commitment to protecting the interests and rights of its creative population, acknowledging the state's deep-rooted connection to music and the arts.

law, AI, protection