R&B singer SZA has publicly criticized AI music generation platforms, particularly Suno, after discovering that 238 of her songs, including unreleased tracks, were used to train AI models. She expressed outrage over the unauthorized use of artists' work and the disproportionate impact on Black musicians.
SZA's public criticism highlights growing concerns among artists about the unauthorized use of their work in AI training, raising significant ethical and legal questions about intellectual property rights and the future of creative industries, particularly concerning the impact on minority artists.
R&B singer SZA has voiced strong opposition to AI music generation after discovering that 238 of her songs, including unreleased material, were utilized in AI training datasets. She took to Instagram Stories to express her outrage, calling the practice 'disgusting' and criticizing musicians who support it.
SZA specifically targeted the AI music company Suno and producer Diplo, who she noted has an equity stake in the company. She argued that the disproportionate use of Black artists' music for AI training highlights a lack of legislative protection and a pattern of exploitation, stating, 'We make up 13% of the American population yet influence the world with our sound and perspective.'
In response, Suno's Chief Product Officer, Jack Brody, defended the platform on LinkedIn, emphasizing a commitment to preserving artistry and human creativity. He stated that Suno's models are built around 'Original Creation, By Design' to reduce the risk of generating unauthorized reproductions and that artist names are not used as training metadata. Brody also highlighted the company's safeguards, including user content restrictions and partnerships with industry-standard providers to identify and prevent misuse.
This is not the first time SZA has spoken out against AI. Previously, she expressed concerns about AI's environmental impact and its disproportionate effect on Black music, describing it as 'weird, stereotypical struggle music' and warning about the convenience price paid by Black and Brown communities.
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