IRMA Urges Irish Parliament to Pursue Ethical AI Framework

Photo Credit: Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA)

The Irish Recorded Music Association hosted a briefing for members of Irish parliament on pursuing ethical AI framework to protect Irish musicians.

On Wednesday, the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) hosted a briefing for Members of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in the music sector. Music contributes approximately €1 billion ($1.18 billion) annually to the Irish economy—but IRMA cautions that the misuse of AI poses serious risks to creators, public representatives, and democratic trust.

The presentation highlighted the potential for AI to be a powerful and transformative tool for creativity and growth. It also warned that without safeguards and enforcement of laws governing its usage, its misuse poses serious risks to artists, consumers, and the wider economy.

The average adult in Ireland spends close to €800 ($942) annually on music across streaming, physical formats, merchandise, and live events. This economic activity sustains thousands of jobs across live performance, production, hospitality, and the wider nightlife sector, providing €1 billion to the Irish economy.

IRMA emphasized that AI is now a permanent feature of the technological landscape, and the industry is keen to approach AI in a constructive manner. However, where copyrighted works are used without consent or compensation, the consequences for artists and the wider economy are significant.

To demonstrate the sophistication and accessibility of current tools, IRMA shared with the panel a live deepfake example: a digitally generated version of Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne (made with his prior consent). The demonstration highlighted the potential misuse of such technology in both the music industry and political life, and the possibilities of its ethical and lawful use.

IRMA called on legislators to ensure:

1. Full and robust enforcement of copyright and intellectual property law
2. Clear rules governing the lawful use of copyrighted works in AI training
3. Transparency and accountability from AI developers
4. A commercial licensing market that guarantees fair remuneration for creators

“Irish music is a global success story, with real social, cultural, and economic value,” said IRMA head of Public Affairs and Communications David Kitching. “AI has the potential to create new opportunities, but it must operate within a framework that respects the law and values human creativity.”

“If we fail to enforce copyright protections in the AI era, we risk undermining a sector worth €1 billion annually and the thousands of livelihoods it supports,” he added. “Legislators have a critical role in ensuring innovation and creativity can thrive side by side.”

IRMA represents the interests of the music industry in Ireland, with key activities including managing the publication of the Irish charts in collaboration with the Official Charts Company; advocacy at Irish and EU levels; fighting piracy; and collecting and compiling research to reflect the importance of music in Ireland.