FKA Twigs unveils her AI clone creation but denounces unauthorized deepfakes
FKA Twigs has disclosed that she has developed an AI version of herself to interact with fans and assist in promotion.
The musician and dancer from the UK shared details of the project during a US Senate hearing on intellectual property related to the No Fakes Act, which targets unauthorized replicas.
FKA Twigs, also known as Tahliah Debrett Barnett, confirmed her work on her own AI creation, while criticizing unauthorized deepfakes for making her feel exposed and vulnerable.
The hearing took place in Washington, just before the publication of a UK report which revealed that most of the public supports regulations to prevent deepfakes of popular artists like Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift.
During the hearing, FKA Twigs shared that she has been working on a digital clone of herself for the past year, mentioning that it can communicate in multiple languages.
“I did this to connect with more fans and engage with them in their own language,” she explained. “I have explored French, Korean, and Japanese, which is very exciting for me. This allows me to delve into the creative depth of my upcoming album.”
The 36-year-old artist noted that having an AI version of herself enables her to focus more on creating art.
She added, “As a music artist in today’s world, there is a lot of press and promotion involved, requiring quick soundbites. With an AI version handling simpler tasks, I can dedicate more time to creating meaningful work for my fans.”
‘I am a human being, and we have to protect that’
Regarding unauthorized deepfakes, she shared examples of manipulated songs and collaborations online that she had no involvement in.
“The ability for someone to manipulate my voice, change lyrics, or collaborate with artists without my consent leaves me feeling exposed and vulnerable,” she expressed.
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Twigs called for legislative protection for artists, emphasizing, “My brand and artistic expression are personal to me, developed over years. It is mine and should not be exploited for commercial or cultural gain, or merely for amusement. I am a human being, and that must be respected.”
Unacknowledged AI music: Is it theft?
Furthermore, a survey by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Music revealed that 83% of UK adults support the legal protection of a music artist’s creative “personality” against AI duplicates.
The study, which involved over 2,000 adults, also found that 83% agree that AI-generated music should be clearly labeled, and 77% consider it theft when the original creator is not credited for the generated music.
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The APPG recommends that the government introduce a UK AI Act, mandate clear labeling of generated music, establish a personality right to safeguard creators from deepfakes and misappropriation, and create an international taskforce.
A government spokesperson stated, “We are committed to facilitating collaboration between artists and the AI sector to leverage the opportunities presented by this technology and ensure global enjoyment of our music.”
In April, over 200 artists signed an open letter condemning the ‘predatory’ use of AI to imitate professional artists’ voices and likenesses.
