Viral AI Song is Denied Eligibility to The Emmys

The Viral AI song is deemed not eligible for the Emmys, not because of the use of AI but due to lack of copyright clearance.

In a whirlwind of controversy and confusion that has swept the music industry recently, Recording Academy Chief Harvey Mason Jr. clarified that the AI song "Heart on My Sleeve”, which uses AI to mimic vocals of chart-topping artists Drake and The Weeknd, will not be considered for next year's Grammy Awards. 

"Heart on My Sleeve” is a song produced by Ghostwriter, an anonymous music artist. When the New York Times first reported Ghostwriter's intention to submit this AI-generated track for the 2024 Grammy Awards, it reignited the industry's ongoing conversation. 

In response to the burgeoning speculations, Mason emphasized the Academy’s position through Instagram. He underscored the necessity for vocals to be legally cleared and affirmed that commercially unavailable tracks wouldn't be in the running for Grammy honors. Notably, this track had a fleeting presence on top-tier streaming platforms but was promptly removed owing to copyright challenges spearheaded by Universal Music Group.

The Recording Academy's initial response, seemingly opening the door for AI-integrated music, attracted significant attention. The nuance, however, lies in the song's composition and its vocal production. This particular piece is not denied eligibility because of AI elements, since it was created by a human, but the problem lies in the AI-driven vocals that did not obtain necessary clearances from relevant stakeholders. 

While Mason stressed that this decision applies to the current version of the song, and that the Academy supports, advocates, protects and represents human artists and creators, this case underscores the broader industry challenge to navigate the convergence of technological innovation and foundational musical artistry. With AI's role in music production still in its nascent stage, the industry will inevitably face more nuanced debates in the times ahead. It requires the industry professionals to stay informed and keep updating the standards and guidelines to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape.