The AI tracker: Artists, tech giants and researchers are racing to control AI

Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications covering her voice and likeness, signalling a stronger legal push against AI misuse. Filed by TAS Rights Management, the applications include sound trademarks for phrases like “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and a visual trademark of her Eras Tour stage image. The move follows rising instances of AI-generated deepfakes, including explicit fake images and misleading political endorsements. It mirrors similar action by Matthew McConaughey, reflecting how celebrities are increasingly turning to intellectual property law to protect identity in the generative AI era.