Grammys on the Hill 2026 Strengthens Advocacy for Human Creators Amid AI Disruption in Music Industry

The Recording Academy gathered music creators, industry leaders, and lawmakers in Washington, D.C., from April 21 to 23 for its 25th Grammys on the Hill initiative. This three-day event focused on advocating for musicians’ rights in an evolving technological landscape.

Advocacy for Music Creators

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, emphasized the significance of this initiative. He stated that Grammys on the Hill embodies the Academy’s ongoing commitment to advocate for music creators and protect their rights. He noted that as the event marks its 25th anniversary, it serves as a reminder that music creators must remain central to discussions shaping the industry’s future, particularly in light of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.

Honors for Legislative Champions

On April 21, over 200 attendees, including Recording Academy members and members of Congress, convened at The Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C., for the Grammys on the Hill Awards. The event honored Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Representative María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) for their bipartisan efforts to safeguard musicians as AI continues to transform the music industry. Both legislators are advocates of the NO FAKES Act, which aims to establish federal protections against unauthorized AI-generated replicas of individuals’ voices and likenesses.

Senator Coons remarked on the increasing threats artists face from online piracy and AI-generated content. He expressed pride in spearheading legislative efforts to protect artists’ intellectual property and livelihoods. He highlighted the global impact of American music in shaping perceptions and fostering understanding.

Representative Salazar expressed her honor in receiving recognition from the Recording Academy, underscoring the essential role music creators play in cultural and economic development. She reiterated her commitment to advancing policies like the NO FAKES Act to ensure that creators’ rights are respected and protected.

Advocacy Day Focuses on AI Challenges

The Grammys on the Hill Advocacy Day on April 22 brought artists, songwriters, producers, and music advocates to Capitol Hill to discuss pressing issues, particularly the impact of AI on the music community. The Recording Academy is actively advocating for policies that ensure human creators are protected, credited, and fairly compensated as AI reshapes the music landscape.

Notable artists, including Durand Bernarr, Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Maggie Rose, and Molly Tuttle, met with lawmakers such as Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), along with Representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA), Erin Houchin (R-IN), and others. They discussed the importance of the NO FAKES Act, as well as the TRAIN Act and the CLEAR Act.

The day also featured a roundtable briefing focused on AI and the future of music, attended by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Peter Welch (D-VT). The event concluded with a reception hosted by the Academy’s Black Music Collective, in collaboration with the Congressional Black Caucus, honoring the lasting influence of Black music. The reception included a performance by Bernarr, who recently won a Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album for his work on BLOOM.

Future Forum Addresses Industry Challenges

The third annual Future Forum, held on April 23, concluded the Grammys on the Hill initiative. This conference brought together music creators, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss critical issues affecting the music industry. The forum featured a keynote conversation with Mason and Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s global head of music, focusing on collaborative efforts to address challenges posed by AI.

Dr. Chelsey Green, chair of the Recording Academy board of trustees, led a panel discussing the role of music education in preparing future generations. Additional programming included discussions on how artists are integrating AI into their recording processes.

Since its inception, Grammys on the Hill has achieved significant legislative victories, including the Music Modernization Act in 2018 and the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in 2022.

As reported by www.billboard.com.

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Published on 2026-04-24 04:11:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk