Mitch Glazier, the chairman and CEO of the RIAA, has confirmed that the organisation, record labels, and artists are currently unhappy with major AI companies. The complaint centres on training models on copyrighted work without permission and flooding digital feeds with low-quality content.
From villain to ally
Glazier notes a shift in the industry dynamic. During the Napster era, the RIAA acted as an antagonist, suing college students for downloading music. Today, the organisation, labels, artists, and the public largely share a common grievance against large technology firms.
This interview took place in 2026. Glazier describes the current situation as a “good bookend” to his career. He began as a young lawyer defending students accused of copyright infringement and now works to protect creators from AI exploitation.
The legal landscape
Glazier is currently busy lobbying for legal changes and filing lawsuits regarding AI deepfakes. He notes the complexity of banning such content without affecting other forms of expression.
He also highlights a practical problem with AI detection and labelling systems. These tools often fail to work effectively if major platforms like Spotify and YouTube do not implement them.
What it means
The industry is moving away from fighting over business models to focusing on preserving the connection between human artists and their fans. Glazier states that authenticity and this human link are now the primary goals for investors, listeners, and performers alike.
