Podcast Summary: Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams – “How Technology Is Transforming Art & Why We Should Care”

Introduction to the Episode

In the October 17, 2024 episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, hosted by Crooked Media and featuring Democratic changemaker Stacey Abrams, the discussion delves into the profound ways technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), is reshaping the landscape of art and its implications for artists, culture, and the economy. Stacey Abrams sets the stage by acknowledging the multifaceted challenges faced by the arts industry in the digital age, emphasizing the necessity for actionable solutions and collective effort to navigate these transformations.

The State of Arts and Technology

Abrams begins by reflecting on a TikTok creator’s concerns about the intersection of technology and art, highlighting a nostalgic yearning for the days when patrons acted as protectors of artistic talent. She underscores the economic significance of the nonprofit arts and culture sector, which generates over $165 billion in economic activity, supports nearly five million jobs, and contributes approximately $30 billion in government revenue. Despite these figures, Abrams points out the persistent inadequacies in public funding and the evolving threats posed by technological advancements.

AI’s Impact on Music and Artists

Abrams transitions to discussing AI’s tangible effects on the music industry. She references the 2023 viral AI-generated song “Heart on My Sleeve” by Ghostwriter777, which mimicked the vocals of Drake and The Weeknd. Although the song amassed around 600,000 streams before being removed for copyright infringement, it sparked significant debate. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged the potential of AI for creativity but also recognized the pressing issues of copyright and fair compensation for artists (04:30).

The conversation further explores the financial struggles of musicians in the streaming era. Abrams cites Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's analysis, revealing that musicians earn a mere 0.003 to 0.005 cents per stream. To earn an equivalent of $15 per hour, an artist would need over 800,000 streams per month— a target most artists on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify never reach within a year (07:15).

Guest Interview: Kenna

Kenna joins Abrams as a Grammy and Emmy-nominated artist, brand strategist, and philanthropist. Their conversation explores Kenna’s multifaceted career and his innovative approaches to merging music, technology, business, and activism.

Kenna’s Background and Early Work

Kenna shares his early experiences with creativity and technology, recounting how, at 14, he attempted to pitch a TV show to the Family Channel. Although the show, titled “So Real High,” never made it to production, this endeavor ignited his passion for artistic expression and systemic change (10:39).

AI and Creative Fields

Abrams and Kenna discuss the evolution of AI from science fiction to a daily reality. Kenna explains Large Language Models (LLMs) as advanced predictive text systems that utilize vast datasets to generate contextually relevant content. Abrams emphasizes that while AI can reflect and amplify the information provided to it, it lacks consciousness or intent, likening it to an enhanced version of smartphone predictive text (18:04).

Streaming and Compensation

The dialogue shifts to the economic disparities perpetuated by streaming platforms. Abrams criticizes the streaming model where platforms profit extensively while artists receive minimal compensation. She advocates for systemic changes that prioritize living wages for artists, highlighting the need for leverage and collective action to reform how revenues are distributed within the industry (23:23).

Legislative Efforts and Future Solutions

Abrams and Kenna examine legislative initiatives aimed at protecting artists. They discuss the “Living Wage for Musicians Act” introduced by Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Jamal Bowman, which seeks to ensure fairer compensation for creators. Abrams underscores the importance of transformative policy that acknowledges the diverse needs of various creative professionals, advocating for laws that empower storytellers and sustain the creator economy without stifling technological advancement (38:52).

Three Laws of Technology for Creators

In a creative twist, Kenna asks Abrams to reimagine Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics applied to creators. Abrams proposes:

1. Sustainability for Storytellers: Ensure that creators receive the necessary support and compensation to continue their work.
2. Support for Creative Education: Facilitate ongoing education and resources for those pursuing creative endeavors.
3. Distribution Mechanisms for the Underserved: Develop fair distribution channels to amplify the voices of underrepresented and unknown artists.

These principles aim to foster an environment where technology serves to empower rather than exploit creative talents (43:48).

Advocacy and Systemic Change

Abrams emphasizes the critical role of artists as the "fifth estate," distinct from traditional media outlets, in shaping societal narratives and fostering cultural resilience. She argues that supporting the creator economy is essential for maintaining a vibrant and reflective society. By leveraging data and strategic partnerships, Abrams envisions a future where artists can autonomously engage with their audiences and benefit equitably from their creative outputs (33:00).

Toolkit: How Listeners Can Support Artists

In the episode’s concluding segment, Abrams offers listeners practical steps to support artists amidst technological disruptions:

1. Be Curious: Encourage listeners to read and understand the terms and conditions of their favorite social media and streaming platforms to become informed consumers.
2. Solve Problems: Advocate for direct support of artists by purchasing music through platforms like iTunes or Bandcamp, or by buying physical media such as vinyl records, which provide higher payouts to creators compared to streaming.
3. Do Good: Motivate listeners to buy merchandise from visual artists, visit creators' websites, and invest in local art markets to sustain the creative community.

These actions aim to create a grassroots movement that prioritizes fair compensation and sustainable support for artists (50:01).

Conclusion

Stacey Abrams wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of collective effort in addressing the challenges posed by technology in the arts. She encourages ongoing dialogue and active participation from listeners to drive meaningful change. The episode underscores the vital interplay between technology, policy, and advocacy in shaping a sustainable future for artists and the broader cultural landscape.

Notable Quotes

• Stacey Abrams [02:02]: “AI unlocks your phone, does your homework, and changes the temperature in your living room. Technology lives within your Instagram feed as the content you see is selected, ranked, and delivered to you by multiple machine learning models working together.”

• Stacey Abrams [10:27]: “The artist is someone who lives in the physics layer, who reaches into the void and comes back with something new and hopes to generate or elicit a response from the world.”

• Stacey Abrams [23:24]: “The living wage part of it is really critical. And how the system is set up, it's almost... we are the most microserviced industry in the world.”

• Stacey Abrams [33:00]: “Artists are the storytellers and the creatives who actually help mankind be better humans.”

• Stacey Abrams [43:48]: “The first law should be to always provide sustainability for your greatest storytellers. The second, always support the creative education of those who pursue that work. And the third, always have some distribution mechanism for the most underestimated and unknowns.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between technology and the arts. By featuring insightful discussions with industry professionals like Kenna and providing actionable advice, the podcast empowers listeners to engage with and support the creative community in meaningful ways.