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Tag: Silk Road Communications

  • “AI is better than humans at many things but feels no emotions”: Silk Road Communications’ Achille Forler

    “AI is better than humans at many things but feels no emotions”: Silk Road Communications’ Achille Forler

    Mumbai: On 5 December 2023, the International Music Creators Seminar was organised by the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) in collaboration with CISAC and the Asia Pacific Music Creators Alliance (APMA). The seminar comprised informative panel discussions, each focused on delving into various aspects of the music industry. Particularly, the inaugural panel centered on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the music industry.

    On the sidelines of the event, Indiantelevision.com caught up with music industry veteran and Silk Road Communications founder Achille Forler, to gain valuable insights on the topic…

    Edited Excerpts:

    On the use of AI causing a potential threat to the music industry and artists’ creative processes, with the rising use of AI tools to make dubbed versions of a song in different artists or people’s voices

    Any technology, be it atoms or bioengineering, can be applied for good or bad. Deepfaking, impersonation, and plagiarism are the negative aspects of AI. They pose a greater risk to music creators than piracy ever did.

    We are at the very beginning of the revolution, but now is the time to ensure its developments occur within the boundaries of the common good. Copyright protects an original expression of a self. AI-generated works can never qualify for copyright protection. It is a good time to ask ourselves, what is a human being? How can technology prove that a creation has a human, and not AI, origin? We must create tools that will fingerprint human creations and filter out AI productions. A working group has been set up on this topic by IPRS and some sister societies.

    On the steps that regulatory bodies like IPRS should take to shape the guidelines for the ethical and legal use of AI in music composition and production

    The good news is that creators have taken up the issue. The International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies (CISAC), representing five million creators worldwide, and of which IPRS is a member, is very clear on AI and its potential to work for or against creativity. It has proposed guidelines to be followed. https://bit.ly/4a2VCsp WIPO also has a comprehensive page on AI and intellectual property in general: https://bit.ly/484ZXtf

    A significant portion of the Conference on Asia-Pacific Collective Management Organizations, which IPRS organised in Jaipur, was focused on this subject.

    On the positives of AI that you see

    Music is born of deep emotions. AI is better than humans at many things but feels no emotions. It can write poems about love but never pined for the beloved, felt the fire of love tingle through its bones, or suffered a heartbreak. On the other hand, we can already see how AI can help Copyright Societies increase compliance by users, improve their collection capacity through smarter licensing, collect royalties that are impossible to collect today, and speed up the distribution of these monies to music creators.

    I already use AI tools on my music licensing platform, SyncMama, to help clients find the right tracks for their videos within minutes simply by uploading a reference track or pasting a YouTube link. We released version two of this audio similarity search tool, Maya. The next version will enable search by prompts like.

    We experiment with the use of prompts, but they have a learning curve because they require more precision—and more attempts—before you find what you’re looking for.

    Our top priority today is video preview. You upload your video on SyncMama and add a track of your choice. Maya analyses the video and matches the audio track to the video by giving you up to three edit options. If the selected audio section is one or two seconds longer or shorter than the video, Maya will time-stretch the audio to fit exactly your video. Click download, and your video will be ready for broadcast.

    We believe that AI tools like these will greatly facilitate the work of promo producers, advertising agencies, and anyone who needs music for their videos.

    On the music industry better supporting and nurturing the growth of amateur talents who are just beginning their journey, ensuring they have opportunities to shine and develop their unique voices

    Budding talent needs a helping hand. The report on music publishing released last week by E&Y shows that the economic value of music to corporate users is at least 12,000 crores. What value would radio, television, films, or games have without music? If corporate users of music were to carry out their legal duty to pay the IPRS, that money would go a long way to nurture and support new talent.

    On ensuring that artists remain at the forefront of decision-making processes to safeguard their interests and maintain the spirit of artistic expression, in a world increasingly influenced by AI

    The answer is in this video:

    SyncMama Valentine

  • International Music Creators Seminar 2023 spurs collaborations, advocacy, and visionary discourse

    International Music Creators Seminar 2023 spurs collaborations, advocacy, and visionary discourse

    Mumbai: The Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) hosted the International Music Creators Seminar on behalf of CISAC and the Asia Pacific Music Creators Alliance (APMA) on 5 December 2023. The APMA International Music Creators Seminar 2023 featured insightful panel discussions, each dedicated to exploring different facets of the music industry.

    The first panel was about how artificial intelligence will revolutionise the music industry. Renowned artists and industry experts who attended the panel highlighted the positive potential AI tools have for creators, and the exciting AI revolution that is already happening cannot be stopped. Generative AI can extend the frontiers of human creation, enhance artistic expression, and deliver to creators new licensing opportunities and revenue streams. But AI also requires smart regulation. The industry needs to come together to prevent AI from undermining human creativity and threatening the livelihoods of creators.

    In the discussion Dr. G.R. Raghavendra – Senior Consultant IPR, DPIIT, former Joint Secretary, Govt of India, Achille Forler Founder Silk Road Communications, João Kruss Gomes Chairman MACA, Mayur Puri – lyricist & screenwriter alongside moderator Benjamin NG, Regional Director for Asia Pacific, CISAC shed light on leveraging AI while ensuring regulatory frameworks uphold creators’ rights. “The integration of AI in music creation presents boundless opportunities for artists globally. It’s imperative to develop robust regulations to safeguard creators’ rights in this evolving landscape,” mentioned lyricist, IPRS Board Member and APMA vice chairman Mayur Puri.

    Commenting on the same, Senior Consultant IPR, DPIIT, former Joint Secretary Govt. of India Dr. G.R. Raghavendra said, “In the vast landscape of AI, it’s important to dispel the notion that it’s inherently risky. Throughout the course of technological evolution, every leap forward has been met with the creation of rules and protections to ensure responsible usage. AI, such as ChatGPT, is essentially a machine that can’t replicate the depth of human abilities—it’s not that creative or original. When we talk about using someone’s work, whether in AI or any other field, seeking permission and offering fair compensation is not just a courtesy; it’s a fundamental aspect of ethical practice. In the grand scheme of technological advancements, maintaining fairness and ethical standards becomes the cornerstone of integrating AI responsibly into our lives. So, as we navigate this exciting era of innovation, let’s keep in mind the importance of consent, fair compensation, and ethical considerations in the realm of AI.”

    The second panel, fair value of music in the streaming economy delved into the streaming landscape, emphasizing the need for creators to receive equitable returns from this burgeoning market. Discussions led by leading creators, legal experts, and industry veterans Dhinraj Shetty – MD Sony Music Publishing (India), Swanand Kirkire – lyricist, singer & Actor, Irfan Aulia – Musician, Managing Director, Massive Music, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Collective Management Organization Wahana Musik Indonesia, Notapol Srichomkwan – songwriter and chairman MCT, Tarsame Mittal – Music Entrepreneur, moderated by Satoshi Watanabe of CISAC, highlighted the necessity for adaptations and government interventions to ensure a fair music ecosystem.

    The third panel, the future of female representation & contribution in the Music Industry, featured discussions by lyricist and screenwriter Kausar Munir, music composer Sneha Khanwalkar, composer and music producer Merlyn D’Souza, music composer and producer Hiral Viradia, and Nanni Singh – chief executive showcase events, moderated by poet and lyricist Irshaad Kamil, on gender dynamics in the music industry. The panel passionately advocated for breaking down stereotypes, fostering inclusivity, and creating a diverse and inclusive musical landscape.

    “The industry must actively foster an environment that embraces diversity and empowers female creators. It’s time to dismantle barriers and create more opportunities for women in music”, stated eminent lyricist and screenwriter Kausar Munir.

    Javed Akhtar, legendary lyricist, screenwriter, poet, and chairman of IPRS, expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success, stating, “The International Music Creators Seminar 2023 underscores the power of collaborative innovation. The recently established collaboration with KOMCA ushers in a transformative period, encouraging a dynamic interchange of creation between India and Korea. Our commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable music industry where creator rights are safeguarded and creativity is nurtured was highlighted through stimulating panel discussions. Our narrative revolves around breaking down barriers, creating opportunities, and envisioning a world where creators and creativity flourish. We look forward to bringing such platforms to India and elevate our artists.”

    The International Music Creators Seminar provided a platform to underscore the importance of cross-border partnerships and smart regulation for a vibrant and equitable creative landscape.