Brief
AFM demands AI consent, credit and compensation clauses from major labels
The union’s “Human Made, Human Paid” campaign asks Universal, Sony, Warner and Disney’s Hollywood Records to add AI safeguards to the upcoming Sound Recording Labor Agreement.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) announced its "Human Made, Human Paid" campaign on Tuesday, calling on the United States' four biggest record companies to embed AI‑related consent, credit and payment provisions in the next Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA) negotiations.
The union, which represents more than 80,000 professional musicians, says the upcoming SRLA talks in November will be the venue for demanding that labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony, Warner and Hollywood Records (Disney) grant artists the right to approve or refuse the use of their recordings to train AI models, require transparent credit for any AI‑generated works, and ensure payment for both AI usage and traditional licensing deals.
AFM International President Tino Gagliardi told Rolling Stone, "The record labels cannot pocket profits built on the backs of human artistry while cutting working musicians out of the equation. Human Made, Human Paid is about consent, credit, and compensation." He added that the union will not stand by tech deals that bypass the artists who created the valuable catalogs.
Composer and AFM member Will Wells, who has worked on projects such as the Netflix series Emily in Paris, warned that the lack of rules leaves musicians “chilled” by the idea that their work could be exploited without a say. He emphasized that the union’s stance is not anti‑technology but seeks to protect viable careers for human creators.
Rolling Stone cited a March industry report describing AI’s impact on music production as a "profound shift" and noting that record labels are already licensing catalogs for AI use, generating millions in revenue without sharing profits with the artists.
Key facts
- The AFM represents over 80,000 professional musicians in the United States. (rollingstone.com)
- The union’s campaign "Human Made, Human Paid" targets Universal, Sony, Warner and Hollywood Records for AI safeguards. (rollingstone.com)
- AFM President Tino Gagliardi said the demand is about consent, credit and compensation. (rollingstone.com)
- Composer Will Wells warned that musicians feel "chilled" by lack of control over AI use of their work. (rollingstone.com)
- The SRLA negotiations are set to restart in November. (rollingstone.com)
Sources
- [1] rollingstone.com — originally reported as “'Human Made, Human Paid': The Largest U.S. Musicians Union Is Demanding AI Protections”
