Music-sharing platform SoundCloud is saying it “has by no means used artist content material to coach AI fashions,” and that it’s “making a proper dedication that any use of AI on SoundCloud will probably be based mostly on consent, transparency, and artist management.” The replace comes a number of days after artists reported that adjustments made final yr to its phrases of use might imply it reserved the suitable to make use of their music and different content material to coach generative AI instruments.
In the absence of a separate settlement that states in any other case, You explicitly agree that your Content could also be used to tell, practice, develop or function enter to synthetic intelligence or machine intelligence applied sciences or companies as a part of and for offering the companies.”
But Seton says that “within the coming weeks,” that line will probably be changed with this:
We is not going to use Your Content to coach generative AI fashions that goal to copy or synthesize your voice, music, or likeness with out your express consent, which have to be affirmatively offered by means of an opt-in mechanism.
Seton reiterates that SoundCloud has by no means used member content material to coach AI, together with giant language fashions, for music creation or to imitate or exchange members’ work. And, echoing what a SoundCloud spokesperson informed The Verge in an electronic mail over the weekend, Seton says if the corporate does use generative AI, it “might make this chance accessible to our human artists with their express consent, by way of an opt-in mechanism.”
Ed Newton-Rex, the tech ethicist who first found the change, isn’t glad with the adjustments. In an X submit, he says the tweaked language might nonetheless permit for “fashions skilled in your work which may circuitously replicate your model however that also compete with you available in the market.” According to Rex, “If they really need to handle considerations, the change required is easy. It ought to simply learn “We is not going to use Your Content to coach generative AI fashions with out your express consent.”
SoundCloud didn’t instantly reply to The Verge’s request for remark.
