Artisjus Magyar Szerzői Jogvédő Iroda Egyesület and the Előadóművészi Jogvédő Iroda (EJI) released a joint "AI Manifesto" timed to Songwriters' Day on October 8. The document warns decision-makers about the risks of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and urges immediate legislation to protect Hungarian culture.
Signatories and supporters
Among the first signatories are dr. Szinger András, director general of Artisjus, and dr. Gyimesi László, president of EJI. Other named signatories include well-known Hungarian songwriters and performers such as Bródy János, Lovasi András, Falusi Mariann, Tóth Vera, Sárik Péter, Keresztes Ildikó, Kiss Tibor, Beck Zoltán and Szűcs Krisztián.
Key claims and demands of the Manifesto
The artists and rights holders state that the everyday use of GenAI-generated works is already causing multiple harms:
- it dilutes human culture and undermines the authenticity of the relationship between creators and audiences;
- training data and outputs often use composers' and performers' works without their permission;
- the flooding of music distribution channels with AI-generated content threatens musicians' livelihoods.
Accordingly, the Manifesto asks the Hungarian legislature, regardless of party or ideology, to promptly establish legal protections against the harmful effects of generative AI.
Specific regulatory requests include:
- prohibiting the training of GenAI music generators on creators' works without the consent of the composers and performers;
- preventing systems from imitating named composers or performers without the affected artists' permission;
- ensuring transparency so that creators, performers and audiences can clearly see whether a recording was produced with real human contribution or is merely an imitation.
The authors emphasize that AI does not create from nothing but reassembles existing human works, and they call for preserving human value in the age of artificial intelligence.
Why this matters
The statement reflects broad concern within the music community about the rapid spread of the technology. The demands aim to establish legal frameworks and transparency to safeguard creators' and performers' rights and to inform audiences. The issue has immediate practical implications because music markets and distribution channels are quickly adopting new tools, with direct effects on musicians' income and on the preservation of cultural values.
Related note
The lead image shows Bródy János signing the AI Manifesto.
