New rules for AI-generated music, announced by the Grammys

As artificial intelligence is slowly creeping into our day-to-day lives, how can the music industry be left behind? The Recording Academy, the institution behind the prestigious Grammy Awards, has declared big changes to music's biggest award night. As per the new rules, songs composed using AI could be eligible for the next Grammy Awards, but one still has to be human to take the coveted trophy home.

On Friday, the Recording Academy announced artists can use AI in their songs and submit them for consideration for an award, as long as there is a ‘meaningful’ human authorship component in the work. In other words, songs that include elements generated by AI can still be considered or nominated, but there must be proof that a real person or human has meaningfully contributed to the song.

Naturally, any work using AI without any human authorship is barred from the contest.

Human element a must for the Grammy Award consideration

As per the latest guidelines for the 66th Grammys, which is going to take place on 4 February 2024, a song that features AI elements must include three conditions. They are the human authorship component of the work submitted is meaningful and more than de minimis (lacking significance), the AI component of the work not eligible for the award, and thirdly, the work should be relevant to the relevant category.

Further, the Academy has announced other changes as well including one stating that an artist will have to contribute at least 20 percent of the work put into an album in order to qualify for consideration as Album of the Year.

However, under the earlier guidelines, any producer, songwriter, engineer, or performer could earn a nomination for the album of the year, even if they only had a minor contribution.

It must be noted that these changes come amid the growing public debate regarding incorporating AI technology into music. Interestingly, nowadays, computer-generated tracks imitating the style and voice of renowned artists are disrupting the music industry.

Early this week, Sir Paul McCartney revealed plans for a ‘final Beatles record', which would also feature John Lennon’s AI-generated voice. He said, “It’s kind of scary but exciting, because it’s the future. We’ll just have to see where that leads.”