Grammys: Only ‘human creators’ eligible to win, Recording Academy says response to AI

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. stipulate / ˈstɪp yəˌleɪt / (v.) – to say clearly or exactly how something must be done, usually as part of an agreement
    Example:

    The company rules stipulate that all employees must follow work safety procedures.


  2. authorship / ˈɔ θərˌʃɪp / (n.) – the state or fact of being the person who wrote a book, document, article, etc.
    Example:

    Dennis claimed the authorship of a popular comic book.


  3. board of trustees / bɔrd ʌv trʌˈstiz / (n.) – a group of people that’s responsible for making rules and financial decisions of a non-profit organization
    Example:

    As a member of the board of trustees, your opinion matters.


  4. eligible / ˈɛl ɪ dʒə bəl / (adj.) – meeting the necessary or appropriate conditions
    Example:

    Students with honors are eligible for the scholarship program.


  5. footage / ˈfʊt ɪdʒ / (n.) – a piece of video showing a scene
    Example:

    The network hasn’t released any footage of the upcoming film.


Article

Read the text below.

The Recording Academy is making several changes to the Grammy Awards, including a rule that stipulates “only human creators” can win the music industry’s highest honor in a decision aimed at the use of artificial intelligence in popular music.


“A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any category,” the organization said, under new “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Protocols” released June 16.


The rule was set following the semiannual academy’s board of trustees meeting, where it was determined that work that features elements of AI is eligible, as long as a human creator is responsible for a “meaningful” contribution to the music and/or lyrics.


“The human authorship component of the work submitted must be meaningful,” the new requirements read in part.


The news arrived shortly after Paul McCartney announced that a forthcoming “last Beatles record” had been composed using artificial intelligence by extracting John Lennon’s voice from an old demo. At the time, he described AI as “kind of scary but exciting,” adding: “We will just have to see where that leads.”


In addition to the AI rule, the Recording Academy announced that there have been swift changes made to other categories: now, to win a nomination for the Album of the Year category, a music creator has to account for at least 20% of the work. That includes all credited artists, featured artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, mixers and mastering engineers, and differs from a decision made in 2021, which allowed anyone who worked on the album to receive a nomination.


The number of those eligible in the “Big Four” categories — best new artists as well as album, song, and record of the year — has been decreased from 10 to eight nominees.


Previously, to be nominated for the “best music film” category, 50% of the documentary footage had to be performance-based. The Recording Academy has lifted that requirement.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Why do you think the Grammys made a rule that stipulates “only human creators” can win the music industry’s highest honor? Do you think other award-giving bodies should do the same? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Paul McCartney announced that the “last Beatles record” had been composed using artificial intelligence. How do you feel about the use of AI in creating music (ex. exciting, concerning)? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • What do you think is the importance of meaningful human authorship in songs or music? Discuss.
  • What do you think is the importance of music awards? What song or music would you like to win an award? Why? Discuss.