»It is important that artists have control over how their voices, works and music are used«

Three artists emphasise how important it is that artists themselves have control over who and how their voices, works and music are used. The Danish Artist Union and the Danish Musicians' Union are working together to secure artists' rights from the outset as AI changes the industry. Therefore, the unions are working for collective terms so that the individual artist does not stand alone in negotiating their AI rights.

By Julie Westh Nielsen

Therefore, in May 2026, the Danish Artist Union and the Danish Musicians' Union took a joint step to safeguard their members' rights in relation to generative AI. Here, the two unions reserved their members' rights regarding generative AI against all record labels on the Danish market.

The goal is that the terms for the use of music, voices and artistic performances in generative AI should not be left to the individual artist, but negotiated collectively.

This time, the artists must be involved from the beginning

Artists are themselves demanding a say in how their work is used before new AI terms become established in the industry.

Artist Anna David highlights the right to decide for oneself how one's work and identity are used:

”I think it is important that artists have control over how their voices, works and music are used in connection with AI. And precisely for that reason, I also think it is important that we stand together regarding artists” rights. What worries me the most is probably if development ends up moving faster than the protection of artists,” she says in an interview with the Danish Musicians' Union.

Drummer Laust Sonne points to the transition from physical sales to streaming as an example:

”Our biggest problem as musicians is that we are always playing catch-up. It was pretty much the same when we went from physical sales to streaming. AI is a massive new thing with the same potential to change the entire industry. This time, we need to be at the front and help steer things,” he says in an interview with the Danish Musicians' Union.

For singer and songwriter Clara Sofie, it is about the new technology not existing independently of the people who have already created the music:

”AI music exists because we have composed, written, sung and played to begin with. Therefore, it is only fair that songwriters, artists and musicians are guaranteed rights, transparency and rightful payment when it is our creativity, voices and other personal characteristics that form the basis, she says in an interview with the Danish Musicians” Union.

Rights must not sold one artist at a time

Danish Artist Union and the Danish Musicians' Union are therefore continuing to work on a collective agreement model to ensure clear and transparent conditions as well as fair payment when music and artistic performances are used in connection with generative AI.

This also means that, as a member, you do not have to shoulder the responsibility of understanding and negotiating new AI terms yourself.

If you encounter AI clauses in a contract or an addendum, please contact the Danish Artist Union before signing. Our legal department advises members on contracts, rights and contractual terms.

Write to jura@artisten.dk.