SaskMusic’s Policy on AI-Generated Content

SaskMusic will not knowingly promote the use of AI-generated songs or AI-generated artwork for Features, or any other marketing. Limited usage of AI as a tool is acceptable, for example, when used as a tool to extend backgrounds of a photograph, or add a filter. Using AI assistance in a limited way during the final mix/master process where the significant majority of the song has been the result of human creativity is acceptable.

We realize that the ‘acceptable amount’ of AI usage is extremely hard to measure; however, we have heard unequivocally from our members that the use of AI-generated music and artwork harms creative individuals and our industry as a whole. Identification of AI-generated artwork is subject to voluntary disclosure from those submitting, and we reserve the right to decline promotion of an element that we suspect to be AI-generated.

AI-generated music, lyrics, and artwork exist because AI systems have been fed with the intellectual property of musicians and artists without their consent. This right to consent is the foundation of copyright law and the keystone of revenue generation for our industry. Copyright protection does not exist for AI-generated content*.

We discourage our music industry members from using AI as anything other than a tool or helper. Lyrics and melodies generated by AI, for example, may not be copywritten and may, without your awareness, consist in whole or in part of the work of other artists whose consent was not obtained. We encourage you to equally respect the intellectual property of all types of creatives – including graphic designers, illustrators, authors, songwriters, and musicians – and refrain from using AI-generated content in your creative outputs.

For promotion of our own programs and events: SaskMusic will not knowingly use AI-generated artwork, photography, or music, and will direct any third-party suppliers we hire to not use AI-generated assets. We value the skill and contributions of human creators and occasionally hire third-party creatives outside of our own staff (eg photographers, graphic designers, mixers, voiceover actors) and appropriately license human-created graphic art and music.

Guiding principles of our policy:

• No one is entitled to art that they aren’t capable of making, or paying an artist for.
• No one but the human creator (copyright holder) should be able to dictate what happens with their intellectual property.

*Legal cases are ongoing worldwide. Those that have been resolved thus far support the concept of copyright being based on ‘human creation.’

 

 

• Listen to our interview on CBC Listen: The 306 with Peter Mills (April 7/26)

 

Policy in effect February 14/26