Elvis Act Signed into law

On March 21, 2024, Tennessee marked a historic moment as it became the first state in the United States to enact specific protections for musicians against artificial intelligence (AI). The newly passed ELVIS Act, or the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act, signifies a groundbreaking stride in Tennessee’s legislative landscape. This act is paramount in safeguarding artists amidst the era of advanced AI, offering vital defense against unauthorized use of their voices, particularly targeting the misuse of deepfakes and voice cloning for commercial purposes.

While Tennessee had previously established protections for name and likeness, the inclusion of voice marks a significant progression for artists. The Nashville Songwriters Association International emphasized the importance of this addition, stating, “The emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has led to unauthorized recordings, which is unequivocally wrong.” They further underscored that the ELVIS Act makes it unequivocally clear that unauthorized AI-generated recordings are subject to legal consequences in the state, addressing an ongoing challenge in regulating AI-generated music.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) echoed the significance of this legislation, acknowledging the dual nature of AI’s rapid advancement and its associated challenges for music professionals. He expressed pride in collaborating with Governor Lee and fellow legislators to modernize laws, ensuring AI advancements do not compromise the unique voices and creative content of Tennessee musicians.
Similarly, House Majority Leader William Laberth (R-Portland) emphasized the critical role of the ELVIS Act in preserving the humanity and artistic expression of Tennessee’s innovators and creators. While supporting responsible technological progress, Laberth stressed the necessity of safeguarding the livelihoods of the music industry against potential threats posed by AI advancements.

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Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.