“AI should support artists, not replace them”: SoundCloud updates Terms Of Use following backlash  

SoundCloud has updated its Terms Of Use following a recent backlash rooted in fears the platform would allow artists’ music to be used to train AI models. 

Last week, the company faced criticism over a February 2024 update to its Terms of Use, highlighted by tech publication Futurism, which stated: “In the absence of a separate agreement that states otherwise, You [the user] explicitly agree that your Content may be used to inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence technologies or services as part of and for providing the services.”

A statement was then released on Friday by the company in the hope of quelling these concerns, clarifying that it has “never used artist content to train AI models” and that “we implemented technical safeguards, including a ‘no AI’ tag on our site to explicitly prohibit unauthorised use”.

Now Chief Executive Eliah Seton has shared an open letter, further clarifying the company’s current stance on artificial intelligence. “AI should support artists, not replace them. With the landscape changing rapidly, if there is an opportunity to use generative AI for the benefit of our human artists, we may make this opportunity available to our human artists with their explicit consent, via an opt-in mechanism,” the statement read. 

“We don’t know what we don’t know, and we have a responsibility to give our human artists the opportunities, choices and control to advance their creative journeys,” the letter continued. “We’re making a formal commitment that any use of AI on SoundCloud will be based on consent, transparency, and artist control.”

Seton also confirmed the company had updated its terms of use in February 2024 in an attempt to confirm its stance on AI for search, tagging, recommendations and play listing, in a bid to prevent fraud. The website also offers a range of AI tools to assist with music production and distribution. “Our use of AI is focused on discovery — helping fans find new music and helping artists grow, starting with their first fans,” said Seton. “More broadly, we use AI to identify emerging talent, personalise the platform experience, and support real-time customer service.”

In the letter, Seton conceded that the February 2024 update was “too broad and wasn’t clear enough” – “It created confusion, and that’s on us. That’s why we’re fixing it.”

The revised Terms Of Use now state that “SoundCloud will not use your content to train generative AI models that aim to replicate or synthesise your voice, music, or likeness”. It also states that “if there is an opportunity to use generative AI for the benefit of our human artists, we may make this opportunity available to our human artists with their explicit consent, via an opt-in mechanism”. Soundcloud also states that it is “making a formal commitment that any use of AI on SoundCloud will be based on consent, transparency, and artist control.”

This scneario has unfolded amid wider debate over the development of generative AI for written, illustrative, musical and video content. Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Records – the world’s three biggest record labels — are currently suing AI firms Suno and Udio for use of copyrighted material to train their models. Suno CEO Mikey Shulman has previously claimed people “don’t enjoy” making music and learning performance and production is now too much effort. 

According to the latest IMS Report on the dance music industry, 60 million people used AI to make music in 2024, while data from Deezer shows 10,0000 fully artificially generated tracks are being uploaded to the service each week. 

Last year, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) stated musicians stand to lose a ‘substantial proportion‘ of earnings by 2028 due to AI. The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) has also warned workers across the music industry could lose a quarter of their income within the same timeframe.