The ELVIS Act: Getting a Handle on AI

[Anderton]

In case you missed it, the ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act) became the first enacted legislation in the United States specifically aimed at safeguarding artists’ voices from AI-based impersonation and deepfake technologies. It was signed into law in Tennessee last March.

 

Given the topic, it seems appropriate to include a summary from ChatGPT:

 

Purpose: The ELVIS Act is specifically designed to protect musicians from the unauthorized use of their voices through AI technologies. It addresses the threat posed by audio deepfakes and voice cloning.
Protections: The legislation prohibits people from using AI to mimic an artist’s voice without their permission. Violations can be criminally enforced as Class A misdemeanors. Additionally, civil action can be taken against anyone who violates this law.

Historical Context: The ELVIS Act builds upon a 1984 law that resulted from the Elvis Presley estate litigation. The original law controlled how Elvis Presley’s likeness could be used after his death.

Advocacy and Industry Support: The legislative journey involved collaboration among music industry stakeholders, including organizations like the Recording Academy, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and others. These groups played a crucial role in drafting the legislation and advocating for its passage.

 

In summary, it reflects the collective initiative of the music industry to address challenges posed by rapid technological advancements. For more details, you can refer to the Wikipedia page on the ELVIS Act.