Last week, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. served as one of four witnesses at the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee of Intellectual Property's Field Hearing on "Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Part II – Identity in the Age of AI." During his time in front of the subcommittee, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 2, during GRAMMY Week 2024, Mason jr. illuminated on the dual nature of artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting its potential for innovation alongside the accompanying challenges and uncertainties.  

"The Recording Academy is in the business of celebrating human excellence and human creativity," Mason jr. shared in his opening testimony. "That was the biggest concern when we crafted our GRAMMY Award policies. We understand that AI is a part of our industry and here to stay, but our awards guidelines stay true to our mission to honor the people behind the music we love so much. Only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a GRAMMY Award."  

Additionally, joining Mason jr. were University of Pennsylvania Law Professor Jennifer Rothman, SIIA President Christopher Mohr, and singer/songwriter Lainey Wilson, the latter of whom just won the GRAMMY for Best Country Album at the 2024 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 66th GRAMMY Awards.   

"I use my music and my voice to tell stories, to connect to my fans, and to help them connect with each other," Wilson proclaimed. "There aren't many things we can control in life, but making decisions about the use of our own selves, our own unique qualities — that should be one."  

In their testimony, Mason jr. and Wilson both spotlighted the No AI FRAUD Act, which is supported by many committee members.   

"The bill establishes in federal law that an individual has a personal property right in the use of their image and voice. That's just common sense, and it is long overdue. The bill also empowers individuals to enforce this right against those who facilitate, create, and spread AI frauds without their permission," Mason jr. highlighted.   

Reps. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Madeline Dean (D-PA), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Rob Wittman (R-VA), and Joe Morelle (D-NY) introduced the No AI FRAUD Act (H.R. 6943) last month. In support of the bill, the Academy worked closely with the global Human Artistry CampAIgn to garner signatures from more than 280 artists, actors and performers, including 21 Savage, Cardi B, Mary J. Blige, Vince Gill, and Smokey Robinson. 

Wilson, who also signed on to the campaign, echoed Mason jr.'s support. "AI increasingly affects every single one of us," she said. "We need artists to keep telling stories and connecting with fans and bringing people together authentically. We need to keep humanity in art — we cannot lose that. The No AI FRAUD Act is a great place to start."  

Mason jr.'s remarks underscored the importance of respecting an artist's agency when it comes to the evolving landscape of AI. He understands that AI is "here to stay" and that because of this, artists must navigate the intersection of technology and artistic expression. The Recording Academy wants to help artists through this navigation.  

"For us, it really comes down to choice," Mason jr. expressed during questioning. "If an artist would like to participate in creating music through AI or allow others to utilize their voice, we believe there should be a choice, and some will want to do that. And as Lainey said, some would rather not. As long as they're credited properly and they have certain approval rights, and there's a way for them to be paid fairly, we see that as a possibility." 

Mason jr. also spoke on his vision for the future of generative AI in music. 

"My hopes are that we can use it as a tool to amplify human creativity. My hopes around AI is that we can find some guidelines around it for creators that are always early adopters of technology to use it to benefit them and to bring more great creativity, more works of art to the fans and to the world."  

Taking a stand against AI fraud within the music industry is not an easy battle, but the Recording Academy is at the forefront of this fight and will continue work to preserve and honor human creativity in the face of advancing AI technologies. To join the Academy in this important fight, send a message to your lawmakers in support of the No AI FRAUD Act via the Academy's action center. Your support can make a difference in preserving the integrity of music and empowering artists in the digital age. 

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