Tennessee Leads the Nation in Signing Landmark Legislation to Shield Musicians from Unsanctioned AI Impersonation

Tennessee has introduced seminal legislation, dubbed the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act (ELVIS Act), to safeguard musicians against unauthorized AI impersonations.

Effective from July 1, this legislation updates the state’s previous right of publicity law to offer AI-specific protections, including against the mimicking of an artist’s voice without consent.

“Tennessee (sic) is the music capital of the world, & we’re leading the nation with historic protections for TN artists & songwriters against emerging AI technology,” Gov. Bill Lee announced on social media.

This move reflects Tennessee’s commitment to protecting its rich musical heritage and the rights of artists in the digital age, amidst the music industry’s growing concerns over AI’s impact on copyrights and intellectual property.

Featured image: Country music star Luke Bryan gives a fist bump to Gov. Bill before Lee signed a bill Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: Mark Humphrey/AP