The entertainment industry is on the cusp of a profound transformation, and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) is not letting its members be left behind. Representing over 80,000 professional musicians across the United States, the AFM has just launched its 'Human Made, Human Paid' advocacy campaign, demanding critical AI protections and fair compensation from the nation's leading record labels.

This urgent push precedes crucial negotiations for the Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA), which are set to resume in November. The AFM is targeting industry giants such as Universal Music Group, Sony, Warner, and Hollywood Records (Disney), seeking to establish new rules that address the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in music production. At the heart of their demands are three core principles: consent, credit, and compensation.

Specifically, the union wants musicians to have the unequivocal right to approve or refuse the use of their music for training AI models. They are also demanding transparent credit for their work and fair payment for both AI utilization and any licensing deals labels strike involving their catalogs. The concern, as highlighted by a Rolling Stone report earlier this year, is that AI represents a 'profound shift' in how music will be made, yet without clear regulations, artists are being cut out of the financial equation.

AFM International President Tino Gagliardi underscored the union's stance, telling Rolling Stone, "The record labels cannot pocket profits built on the backs of human artistry while cutting working musicians out of the equation." He emphasized that the AFM will actively resist any attempts by tech deals to bypass the very artists whose work makes music catalogs valuable.

Musicians are witnessing record labels generate significant revenue by licensing their extensive catalogs for AI training, often without any compensation flowing back to the original creators. This practice, artists argue, undermines the fundamental principles of intellectual property that the music industry traditionally upholds.

Will Wells, an AFM member, composer, and producer known for his work with artists like Cynthia Erivo and on the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris, voiced the widespread anxiety among his peers. "The idea that we don’t have a say in how our music is exploited is chilling," Wells told Rolling Stone, reflecting the deep concern over creative control and fair use.

Wells clarified that the SRLA demands are not an attempt to 'villainize' AI or impede technological advancement. Instead, the focus is squarely on ensuring the viability of music as a sustainable career path for human creators. "We are pro-human creators and pro compensation for our labor," he stated, reinforcing the union's commitment to securing a future where musicians can continue to thrive and contribute their unique artistry to the world, rather than be replaced or undervalued by technology.