SoundCloud will change its internal policy after the protest against AI

SoundCloud will update its Terms of Service in the coming weeks following recent criticism sparked by concerns about the platform’s use of artists’ music to train AI models.

In the previous version of the document from February 2024, the following was stated:

“In the absence of a separate agreement stating otherwise, you unequivocally agree that your content may be used for informing, training, developing, or as input data for artificial intelligence or machine intelligence technologies or services in the context of and for the provision of services.”

The CEO of the company Eliah Seton published an open letter aimed at dispelling concerns regarding the use of artists’ content for training AI models.

“We have implemented technical precautions, including the tag ‘without artificial intelligence’ on our site, to explicitly prohibit unauthorized use,” he emphasized.

Seton explained the company’s current position regarding artificial intelligence.

“AI should support artists, not replace them. Given the rapidly changing landscape, if there is an opportunity to use generative artificial intelligence in the interests of our human artists, we may provide this opportunity after their explicit consent, using an opt-in mechanism,” the statement says.

The revised Terms of Use state that “SoundCloud will not use content to train generative artificial intelligence models aimed at reproducing or synthesizing voice, music, or images.”

Recall that in April, YouTube launched a new feature using artificial intelligence to create background music and add it to videos.