New York has long been a global epicenter of music and cultural innovation. Today, however, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into the creative economy poses urgent challenges to the livelihoods of thousands of musicians, composers, producers, and behind-the-scenes workers who help drive one of our state’s most vital industries.

AI tools are now capable of generating songs, imitating human voices, and even replicating the style of living artists without consent. While these technologies can expand creative possibilities, their unchecked use threatens to accelerate job displacement in an industry that already operates on precarious labor models. Without clear guardrails, we risk eroding the very ecosystem of working musicians and creative professionals that sustains New York’s cultural identity and economy.

To address these risks, New York should ensure that artists have control over how their work is used by requiring consent and fair compensation when AI models are trained on their music. It is equally important to mandate transparency so that audiences and employers know when music has been generated or altered by AI rather than created by human labor. A state-level task force could also monitor the ongoing effects of AI on the music workforce and recommend interventions before displacement becomes irreversible. Alongside these measures, New York can lead by pairing regulation with investment in workforce training, grants, and cultural programs that keep human musicians at the center of our cultural economy.

Music is something meant to connect people - it is the one thing that people can feel, connecting different cultures and identities. As music begins to shift towards AI, we risk losing this authenticity and genuine human connection that music fosters. It is one of the few things that can bring communities together, and AI threatens the cultural identity and harmony of New York State.

AI innovation need not come at the expense of working artists. By enacting thoughtful regulation, New York can safeguard its creative workers, set a national example, and ensure that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than displacement.

I respectfully ask that you consider supporting legislation and oversight that upholds these principles. Protecting New York’s music workforce today will preserve both jobs and artistic integrity for generations to come.

Sincerely,
Ariana Guido