SoundCloud says it has never trained AI using artists' work after being criticized for changes to its terms of use

SoundCloud assures users it has not used artists' work to train AI, addressing concerns raised by an unnoticed terms update allowing AI interaction.

: SoundCloud faced backlash after a 2024 update to its Terms of Use allowed user content to potentially be used for AI training, prompting clarification from the company. They asserted that artists' content has not been used for AI model training and no AI tools have been developed or allowed for content scraping. To address user concerns, SoundCloud implemented a "no AI" tag for artists to prevent unauthorized use and mentioned that future AI tools aim to enhance discovery and protect artists' rights. Despite the controversy, SoundCloud recently introduced AI-powered tools for music creation, enhancing track and beat generation.

SoundCloud recently faced significant criticism following an unpublicized change to their Terms of Use, which stated that user-uploaded content could be utilized to train artificial intelligence models. This change, which went largely unnoticed until pointed out by Ed Newton-Rex, led to significant backlash from both artists and users who feared exploitation of their creative work.

In response to these concerns, SoundCloud issued a statement clarifying that while the terms update mentioned AI, the company has not actually used artist content to train its AI models. They emphasized their commitment to being artist-first, asserting that content would interact with AI technologies only within SoundCloud's platform. This means that operations such as music recommendations, playlist creation, and fraud detection might involve AI, but not in a way that compromises artists' rights or content security.

SoundCloud detailed how it plans to remain transparent and protect rights by implementing a "no AI" tag for artists who want to prevent unauthorized AI-trainable use of their music. The company's official Reddit account expanded on this by reassuring users that future AI tools are meant to enhance discovery and expand artists' opportunities without encroaching upon their creative rights.

Despite the controversy, SoundCloud has been actively investing in AI-driven innovation for music creation. Recently, they introduced several new AI tools designed to democratize music creation, assisting artists in generating remixes, beats, and vocal tracks. Earlier in the year, the company partnered with other tech firms to integrate AI resources aimed at empowering artists with new creative capabilities.

Ultimately, while SoundCloud's attempt to update its terms may have been primarily aimed at future-proofing its platform against emerging AI trends, the oversight in communication highlights the need for media platforms to prioritize user engagement and transparency. Artists and supporters continue to watch developments closely to ensure ethical practices align with technological advancements.

Sources: Engadget, TechCrunch

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