The South Korean music industry is taking a proactive stance against the disruptive influence of artificial intelligence (AI) by establishing a new coalition aimed at addressing the challenges posed by this emerging technology. The K-Music Rights Organizations Mutual Growth Committee officially launched on February 26, coinciding with the appointment of Lee Si-ha as the head of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA). This initiative has recently gained attention in local media, highlighting the collaboration among various industry organizations.
Members of this coalition include prominent entities such as the Recording Industry Association of Korea, the Korea Entertainment Producers’ Association, the Korean Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the Federation of Korean Music Performers, and the Korea Music Content Association. Together, they aim to create a new framework for music copyright that can serve as a model for the global community. Central to their mission is the need to address the challenges posed by generative AI, which they view as a significant threat to the integrity of human creativity.
In a bold declaration, the committee has outlined an “aggressive survival strategy” to combat the rise of AI in the music industry. This includes a commitment to tackle unauthorized AI training, enhance transparency in training data, and implement labeling for AI-generated content on digital platforms. The group has also reaffirmed its stance against the registration of machine-generated music, having already instituted a 0% AI policy nearly a year ago.
Beyond AI-related concerns, the committee is also focused on developing a blockchain-based infrastructure to improve data interoperability among various music identifiers, such as ISWC, ISRC, Content ID, and UCI. Additionally, they aim to prevent the international outflow of South Korean music revenue and reshape the broader platform market to better serve local artists.
This initiative stands in stark contrast to the approach taken by industry leaders like Warner Music CEO Robert Kyncl, who views AI as a tool for unlocking new value. While some South Korean executives, such as SM Entertainment’s Lee Soo-man, are exploring AI to enhance fan engagement through platforms like Blooming Talk, the overarching sentiment within the new coalition is one of caution and resistance against the potential pitfalls of AI in music.
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