Recently, the renowned International Dancehall singer-songwriter Wayne Wonder shared his thoughts on the utilization of his voice in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, expressing his belief that as long as fair compensation is provided, he has no objections.
During a podcast interview on The Entertainment Report Podcast, Wayne Wonder stressed the significance of fair compensation for the utilization of his voice in AI technology. He referenced the case of Susan Bennett, the original voice of Apple’s Siri, who felt under-compensated and unaware of the use of her voice. He also highlighted actress Scarlett Johansson’s recent legal challenge against ChatGPT for introducing an AI voice similar to hers without her consent.
The singer’s 2002 track “No Letting Go” has received Gold certifications in both the United States (2022) and the United Kingdom (2020), indicating substantial sales and streaming numbers. Some of his other popular songs include “Bounce Along,” “Watching You,” “Joyride” with Cham, “Bashment Girl,” “Bonafide Love” with Buju Banton, “Movie Star,” “The Best,” and “Informer.”
The singer’s remarks come amidst a broader debate within the music industry concerning the impact of AI on creative work. A recent article in The Gleaner newspaper highlighted the adverse effects of AI on the livelihood of many Jamaican music creators, including those from the Bob Marley Estate. Over 200 influential figures and entities in the music industry have united to oppose the irresponsible use of AI, expressing concerns about devaluing their work and hindering fair compensation.
The Artists Rights Alliance released an open letter calling for a commitment from AI developers, technology companies, and digital music services to refrain from developing or deploying AI music-generation technology that undermines or replaces the artistry of songwriters and artists. The letter also addressed the use of AI to impersonate the voices and likenesses of professional singers without their consent, demanding protection against such predatory practices.
Evon Mullings, the general manager of the Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS), voiced concerns about the negative impact of AI technology on the music industry, particularly in dubplate creation. He highlighted the threat posed by unscrupulous individuals using AI technology to create dubplates by impersonating the sound and likeness of music luminaries from the island.
In response, JAMMS is in the process of preparing a policy to revise eligibility criteria for music earning royalties, with the aim to reject music that is 100 per cent AI-generated. Mullings also underscored the need for laws to protect human creators from AI, highlighting the threat to human dignity, freedom from artificial replication, and the right to a livelihood.
Wayne Wonder’s stance on the use of his voice in AI technology underscores the importance of fair compensation and ethical considerations when leveraging the creative work of artists in new technological advancements. As the debate around AI and its impact on creativity continues, it is crucial for all stakeholders to uphold the rights and livelihoods of musicians and creators.