SoundCloud says it is by no means skilled AI utilizing artists’ work after getting known as out for phrases of use change

Following backlash a couple of quietly added clause to SoundCloud’s Terms of Use that claims customers’ content material could also be fed to AI, the corporate says it is “by no means used artist content material to coach AI fashions,” and insists it “has all the time been and can stay artist-first.” The outrage got here after tech ethicist Ed Newton-Rex (by way of TechCrunch) noticed a change to SoundCloud’s phrases that was made in February 2024 seemingly with out notifying customers. The up to date textual content states that by utilizing the platform, “You explicitly agree that your Content material could also be used to tell, prepare, develop or function enter to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence applied sciences or companies as a part of and for offering the companies.”

In an announcement to TechCrunch, a spokesperson mentioned the replace was solely meant to “make clear how content material might work together with AI applied sciences inside SoundCloud’s personal platform” and that the corporate “has by no means used artist content material to coach AI fashions, nor can we develop AI instruments or enable third events to scrape or use SoundCloud content material from our platform for AI coaching functions.” SoundCloud’s official Reddit account posted similar statements on the social media platform in response to customers’ outrage, and each famous that SoundCloud added a “no AI” tag for artists “to explicitly prohibit unauthorized use.”

AI could also be used for issues like music suggestions, playlist creation and fraud detection, the corporate mentioned. “Any future AI instruments will likely be constructed for artists to reinforce discovery, defend rights, and broaden alternatives,” SoundCloud posted on Reddit. “We hear your considerations and stay dedicated to transparency, artist management, and truthful use.”

Only a few months in the past, although, SoundCloud launched a collection of AI tools geared towards music creation, on high of three others it had announced earlier that yr. That features AI instruments for producing remixes, new tracks, beats and singing voices.