FKA Twigs Creates a Deepfake of Herself and Calls for AI Regulation

FKA Twigs gave compelling testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property on Tuesday, discussing the threat artificial intelligence poses to the livelihoods of artists like her.

Along with Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl, Twigs – real name Tahliah Debrett Barnett – testified about better regulation of AI and deepfakes, but also revealed that she is developing her own deepfake and can see the benefits of using the technology .

“My art is the canvas on which I paint my identity and the foundation of my livelihood. She is the essence of my being. But this is in danger. AI cannot reproduce the depth of my life’s journey, but those who control it hold on to it “the power to imitate the likeness of my art, reproduce it and falsely claim my identity and intellectual property,” the singer-songwriter read from her written statement.

The subcommittee is currently discussing the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act – or NO FAKES Act – a bipartisan bill that would provide stronger legal protections around AI for recording artists, particularly when it comes to non-consensual deepfakes involves using the voice and visual image of a person. The legislation would make anyone who makes an “unauthorized digital copy” liable.

“This prospect threatens to rewrite and unravel the fabric of my existence. We must now enact regulations to protect our authenticity and protect ourselves from the misappropriation of our inalienable rights,” Twigs continued in her statement.

She then revealed that she has been working on her own deepfake for a year: one that is “trained” in her personality and can also “speak many languages” with her “exact tone of voice.” She says she plans to use “AI branches” to expand and manage her social media interactions while she focuses on her art. She noted that deepfakes and AI technology “can be extremely valuable tools, both artistically and commercially, when under the artist’s control.”

The artist told the committee on Capitol Hill that “careers and livelihoods are at risk, and potentially the broader image rights of others in society.”

“Our creativity is the product of this lived experience, coupled with years of commitment to skills, training, hard work and, dare I say it, significant financial investment and sacrifice,” said Twigs. “That the essence of our being at its most human level can be violated by the unscrupulous use of AI to create a digital facsimile pretending to be us and our work is inherently wrong.”

AI continues to be an important issue for actors and artists, and many are calling for strict regulation and guardrails to better protect players in the industry. The music industry continues to stimulate conversations about the looming threat of AI. More than 200 artists recently signed an open letter denouncing the use of AI in music.