SoundCloud Clarifies AI Policy, Pledges Artist Consent and Control Amid Uproar

Music-sharing platform SoundCloud has updated its Terms of Use (TOS) following an outcry from artists over potential uses of their content in AI training. The platform's CEO, Eliah Seton, acknowledged that the previous language was too vague and caused confusion, adding, “That’s on us.” In a statement, Seton explained that SoundCloud has never used artist content to train AI models. Furthermore, the company is making a formal commitment that any future use of AI will be grounded in consent, transparency, and artist control. Seton outlined that in the coming weeks, the ambiguous TOS section will be revised to clarify these points. The new language will explicitly state that SoundCloud has never used member content to train AI, including large language models, for music creation or to mimic or replace members' work. Moreover, Seton assured that if the company decides to use generative AI in the future, it will offer artists the opportunity to participate through an opt-in mechanism. This means artists would have to give their explicit consent before SoundCloud uses their content for AI training. However, tech ethicist Ed Newton-Rex, who first highlighted the issue, remains unconvinced by the changes. In a post on social media platform X, Newton-Rex expressed concern that the revised language could still permit the creation of AI models trained on artists' work, even if those models do not directly replicate their styles. He argued, “To genuinely address the concerns, the change needed is straightforward. It should simply read, ‘We will not use Your Content to train generative AI models without your explicit consent.’” As of now, SoundCloud has not responded to further requests for comment from The Verge. The ongoing debate underscores the broader tension between technology companies and content creators regarding the ethical use of AI. While SoundCloud has taken steps to assuage artists' fears, the issue remains unresolved, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines and greater transparency in the tech industry.