Sony Music Entertainment (SME) has hired Geoff Taylor MBE as Senior Executive Vice President, Artificial Intelligence.
Taylor was previously CEO of BPI – the UK’s London-based trade body which represents the interests of major record labels, in addition to some independent labels.
Tayor led the BPI from 2007 to 2022, focusing on, among other things, tackling the industry against streaming piracy and fraud, as well as lobbying for the interests of the UK recording industry in the political circles.
In his new role as Executive Vice President at Sony, Taylor will report to New York-based Kevin Kelleher, Chief Operating Officer of Sony Music; Taylor will also work closely with SME’s Global Digital Business and Business & Legal Affairs divisions.
In an internal memo today (June 23) confirming Taylor’s arrival at Sony, obtained by MBW, Kevin Kelleher wrote: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is of great importance to the future of the music industry. music and therefore a more focused attention to it is required.”
Kelleher noted that, in her new role, Taylor will “align and help coordinate the work of every part of the company (Sony Music) that touches AI.”
Kelleher said he was “delighted (Taylor) joins us in helping us navigate a key moment in music industry history.”
Taylor’s arrival as executive vice president of artificial intelligence at Sony Music comes just as artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly high priority for the global music industry.
Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer said in an investor presentation last month, “AI promises to give us tools for our artists and writers to create and innovate. It also heralds greater levels of insight through machine learning, as well as potential new licensing channels and avenues of commercial exploitation. There are many opportunities in this area that are generating excitement across our business. »
Stringer added, “We are also very aware of the challenges ahead (with AI). We will protect our creators at every possible level, whether it is a creative, financial or legal basis.
Stringer continued, “I think AI will become a hugely positive tool in the artist development process. I think this will help top creators create great content. But right now we’re (mainly) concerned about the lowest common denominator, which is (the role of AI in) flooding platforms with endless content of a substandard nature.
Prior to joining BPI in 2007, Geoff Taylor was Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President of our global recorded music trade body, IFPI, from 2005 to 2007.
Earlier this year, Taylor wrote a popular op-ed for The music industry in the world in in which he explored various areas that could drive the future revenue growth of the global recording industry.The music industry around the world
