A major Hollywood union says it struck a tentative deal with record companies to protect against the use of artificial intelligence to create songs.

In a statement posted on its website, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists said the pending five-year agreement involved Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Disney Music Group.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union's national executive director, said Friday, called the agreement "groundbreaking, and said, "SAG-AFTRA stands firm in the belief that while technology can enhance the creative process, the essence of music must always be rooted in genuine human expression and experience."

The pact followed last year's record SAG-AFTRA strike against Hollywood's major movie and TV studios, in which actors walked out for 118 days before negotiating a deal for protections against AI and pay hikes.

Under terms of the latest agreement, record companies would need to obtain consent and pay compensation before releasing a song using the digital replica of a singer's voice, according to Reuters.

In additon, the terms "artist", "singer" and "royalty artist" could only refer to humans.

Other provisions include an increase in minimum pay and better health and retirement benefits, according to the union.
The agreement, which would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2021, was unanimously approved by SAG-AFTRA's Executive Committee on Wednesday.

It's now subject to ratification by the union's 160,000 members, who include recording artists, singers and voiceover artists, as well as actors, announcers and others.