Photo Credit: Steve Johnson
Has Sony developed a game-changing AI-detection app? We’ll soon find out, as the conglomerate is touting a new tool that it says can pinpoint the use of protected works in machine outputs.
The overarching Sony Group’s AI division just recently unveiled said tool, details about which surfaced in a brief Nikkei Asia piece. In keeping with the “overarching” descriptor, the detection function reportedly handles music, film, and gaming alike.
But with all manner of AI audio continuing to pour in – and as Sony Music litigates against both Udio and Suno – it goes without saying that the tool could prove particularly significant in music.
Per the mentioned report, the as-yet-unnamed technology can determine the contribution percentages of human creators’ works within AI generations. However – and this is where questions arise – if an “AI developer agrees to cooperate,” the program will make its training-percentage calculations based on the underlying data.
What if a developer refuses to cooperate? Well, as described by Nikkei, the tool would then settle for estimating “the original work by comparing AI-generated music with existing music.”
Either way, given the emphasis on specific contribution percentages, there appears to be a straightforward path (in theory, that is) to derivative-work compensation for professionals. As such, it’ll be interesting to see where the product goes from here.
In the bigger picture, Sony definitely isn’t alone in looking to provide a clearer look at the protected materials behind AI models’ outputs.
First, Sony Music possesses a stake in Vermillio, which is developing percentage-focused detectors (seemingly prioritizing video). The same major and Universal Music are also partnered with SoundPatrol, which proclaims to offer superior detection options (accounting for covers, remixes, and more) with its “Neural Fingerprinting captures.”
Meanwhile, Universal Music has a tie-up with ProRata.ai (which specializes in protections for text-based media outlets) as well. And DSPs including but not limited to Deezer are developing proprietary detection tech of their own.
Stated briefly, there isn’t a shortage of the tools. That said, adoption remains a key concern – especially when it comes to AI platforms operating out of markets with less robust IP protections.
And on the other side of the coin, as many know, a growing number of gen AI players claim to have trained solely on authorized datasets. The likes of Boomy and ElevenLabs are plowing full steam ahead with their music models, for instance, and coming up on the second anniversary of its Universal Music collaboration announcement, Klay Vision still has yet to launch.
