John Legend Believes Artificial Intelligence Regulations Should Be Put In Place To Protect Artists Following Fake Drake and The Weeknd Song

John Legend is advocating for artificial intelligence regulations in the music industry following the viral success of a song by Drake and The Weeknd.

At The TIME100 Summit held on Tuesday, Legend openly discussed his views on AI, stating that while the technology is bound to become an integral part of people’s lives, there is a pressing need for regulations to govern its functioning.

“I believe that our voices are our voices, and we should have control on how our voices are used out in the world,” Legend told Time senior correspondent Charlotte Alter after being asked about the AI-generated song “Heart On My Sleeve.”

The track used artificial intelligence to create imitated Drake and The Weeknd vocals. The artists did not actually collaborate on the song. Following a backlash from label owner Universal Music Group, the song has apparently been removed from social media and streaming platforms. This incident has sparked conversations about the responsible use of technology within this field.

Legend emphasized that it is unacceptable for anyone to profit from an artist’s voice without their consent, and it is also wrong to utilize their voices for content creation without their authorization.

“AI’s going to be a part of our lives, and it’s going to be something that kind of augments our own intelligence, our own collective intelligence. And that’s fine,” Legend said. “But when it comes to using someone’s likeness, using their intellectual property, I believe our rights should still be protected.”

Nevertheless, Legend is expressing his desire for regulatory agencies to keep pace with technological advancements and take appropriate measures to safeguard the intellectual property of artists, including their ability to control the usage of their image and likeness.