Sydney University Signs Up to AI Guidelines For Music Creation

Sydney University has joined a 50-strong coalition of supporters for a founding set of principles which outline the responsible use of AI in music creation.

First published in March by Roland Corporation and Universal Music Group (UMG), the “Principles for Music Creation with AI” is said to be a “shared philosophy” around the use of computer learning in the creation of music.

Those guidelines have been embraced with “positive momentum across the music industry,” say reps on the campaign, and are now adopted by 50 prominent music companies, associations, and institutions globally.

Among them: Sydney University, NAMM, Splice, Native Instruments, Focusrite, Output, Beatport, Waves, Soundful, LANDR, Eventide, GPU Audio and BandLab Technologies.

Singapore-based BandLab Technologies last year pledged to engage responsibly and ethically with AI, part of a “strategic collaboration” with UMG. In doing so, BandLab became the first music creation platform to throw its support behind the Human Artistry Campaign (HAC), a global coalition devoted to ensuring fair and safe play with AI technologies.

As advances in GenA.I. continue to “threaten human creativity,” reads a statement, Roland and UMG established these guidelines to “protect the true essence of music—its human spirit”.

The Principles “are proving to be a timely solution for a wide spectrum of music organizations, some with robust AI strategies already in place, and many more in various stages of discovery,”
comments Paul McCabe, VP of R&D and strategic partnerships at Roland.

Adds Chris Horton, senior VP, strategic technology at UMG: “The scope of support reflected by all of these participating organizations clearly indicates emerging consensus about the importance of strongly advocating a thoughtful approach to AI adoption.”

The seven core principles, or “clarifying statements,” are below.

We believe music is central to humanity.

We believe humanity and music are inseparable.

We believe that technology has long supported human artistic expression, and applied sustainably, AI will amplify human creativity.

We believe that human-created works must be respected and protected.

We believe that transparency is essential to responsible and trustworthy AI.

We believe the perspectives of music artists, songwriters, and other creators must be sought after and respected.

We are proud to help bring music to life.

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