Deepfakes pose a significant threat as they allow imposters to use an artist’s voice or likeness without consent, making it possible for them to say, do, or endorse things the artist did not approve of. This form of violation is deeply personal and costly, causing damage to reputations, careers, and beyond. Unfortunately, instances of this misuse are now far too numerous to count.
The music industry has taken the lead in collaborating to find fair and practical solutions that safeguard everyone’s rights to their own face and voice. This effort aims to foster the responsible advancement of AI while also protecting free expression and speech.
SAG-AFTRA has been proactive, working alongside major record companies to establish protections through collective bargaining agreements. Together, we successfully advocated for the passage of the ELVIS Act in Tennessee. Now, we are proud to unite once again with the entire music community and our peers from various sectors of the American creative, technology, and advocacy landscape to push for the passage of the NO FAKES Act in Congress.
The NO FAKES Act is bipartisan legislation that creates a federal intellectual property right regarding a person’s voice and likeness. This legislation empowers individuals to control how their personal attributes are digitally replicated while still allowing for important uses protected by free speech principles. Importantly, it achieves this without hindering AI development or undermining American competitiveness. It strikes a balance that protects individuals, free speech, and AI innovation simultaneously. Its passage cannot come soon enough.
Our community plays a crucial role in this effort. Hundreds of artists, actors, and other creative professionals have already signed a petition urging Congress to enact this bill into law. Let’s aim for thousands. Prominent artists and executives have shared their testimonies, highlighting the stakes and the urgent need for policymakers to take action. The Human Artistry Campaign, a broad coalition supporting this legislation, has expanded to include over 180 organizations representing creators in more than 35 countries. Let’s make this an American law that inspires global action.
Many deserve recognition for getting us to this point. First and foremost, we thank the artists and songwriters who have courageously led this initiative. The AI community has also played a pivotal role by engaging in discussions to reach a consensus that benefits both artists and AI. Companies like Google, YouTube, OpenAI, IBM, and Adobe support this bill and have made compromises to develop a solution that works for everyone. The motion picture industry has also worked diligently to find common ground that advances our goals while respecting First Amendment rights, economic interests, and individual privacy. Broadcasters have stepped up to advocate for DJs, reporters, newscasters, and over-the-air personalities. Additionally, organizations fighting against child and sexual exploitation have been instrumental in crafting protections to prevent abuse across the board. We have built a robust coalition—now it is time to take action.
While there will inevitably be detractors, we must not allow the pursuit of perfection to hinder our progress. Protecting voice and likeness as AI technology evolves is crucial. Join us in making the NO FAKES Act the law of the land this year. Visit the Human Artistry Campaign website to add your name to the petition and use the tools provided to communicate with your Member of Congress, letting them know this bill is essential and cannot be overlooked. Together, let’s achieve a historic milestone for our community.
The NO FAKES Act exemplifies that when we collaborate to find consensus on the most pressing challenges, we can achieve remarkable outcomes. There is nothing more important than standing by artists—and all individuals—demanding the right to safeguard their own voices, faces, and bodies. We will not rest until this goal is accomplished.
Mitch Glazer is the CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America, Harvey Mason Jr. is the CEO of the Recording Academy, and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland is the national executive director of SAG-AFTRA.
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