Portuguese Artists Lead European Push for AI Regulation and Copyright Protection
Nearly 20 Portuguese artists have joined a wider European movement calling for stronger regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and better protection of copyright. The campaign, known as #StayTrueToTheAct, brings together around 30 musicians from across Europe who want clear rules to ensure AI respects intellectual property.
The initiative focuses on raising awareness among European policymakers about the need to hold AI companies accountable for how they use copyrighted material to train their models. Artists argue that the European Union must create a balanced environment where technology and creativity can coexist without one undermining the other.
Among the Portuguese artists involved are well-known names like Calema, Dino d'Santiago, Diogo Piçarra, and Pedro Abrunhosa. They have shared video messages explaining why protecting artists is crucial in a time when AI technology is advancing rapidly and often without clear safeguards.
Pedro Abrunhosa emphasizes the human essence of creativity: "The creative act is perhaps the most human of acts. It is based on experience, touch, closeness, intuition, fear, all emotions, all feelings... A generative artificial intelligence is not allowed to vampirise these emotions and mimic them as if it created them itself." He calls on the European Commission to respect human dignity and culture by enforcing the existing AI Act, which aims to regulate AI use.
The campaign also includes artists from other countries, such as Spain's Alejandro Sanz. The collective demand centers on transparency and consent regarding AI's use of creative works.
Concerns Over Weakening of European AI Legislation
In June 2024, the European Union adopted the first-ever AI regulations, introducing transparency rules for generative AI, including requirements to disclose training data sources. However, artists warn that the EU risks diluting these protections during implementation, potentially allowing AI companies to avoid accountability.
The #StayTrueToTheAct movement urges the European Commission to uphold the original law and defend creators' rights firmly. This campaign was initiated by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), with Portugal's Audiogest joining the effort.
European artists who want to support the cause can still join the movement and help amplify the call for fair treatment of creators in the age of AI.
Your membership also unlocks:
