AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations

Recep Ünal; Ahmet Taylan

doi:10.24955/ilef.1687789

TR EN

AI Cover Şarkılar: Teknoloji, Telif Hakkı ve Etik İhlaller Arasında Tartışmalı Bir Üretim Modeline Dair Dinleyici Görüşleri

Abstract

Yapay zekâ (YZ) teknolojisinin hızlı gelişimi, diğer pek çok alanda olduğu gibi yaratıcı endüstri alanında da çeşitli yenilikleri ve tartışmaları beraberinde getirmiştir. Örneğin müzik sektöründe üretken yapay zekâ (ÜYZ) teknolojileri hem üreticiler hem de müzik dinleyicileri açısından yeni deneyimlerin kapılarını aralamaktadır. ÜYZ modelleri ile ses klonlamaya dayalı AI cover şarkılar bu bağlamda dikkat çekmektedir. ÜYZ ile bir sanatçının vokal stili veya müzikal karakteri taklit edilebilir hale gelmiştir. Ancak bu yeni müzik üretim pratiği, telif hakkının yanı sıra manevi hakların ihlali açısından da tartışmalara neden olmuştur. Bu çalışmada AI cover şarkılarla ortaya çıkan sorunların sadece bu içeriklerin üretimi değil, tüketimi bağlamında da tartışılması amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda YouTube’da en çok dinlenilen Türkçe AI cover şarkılara yapılan dinleyici yorumları tematik analiz tekniği ile incelenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda dinleyicilerin eserleri, destekleyici yorumlarının dışında etik sınırların belirsizliği, sanatçının mirasına saygı, telif hakkı konusunda endişeler ekseninde de değerlendirdiği görülmüştür. Bu bağlamda çalışmada, üretken yapay zekânın müzik endüstrisindeki geleceğinin yalnızca teknolojik gelişmelerle değil, aynı zamanda bu tür eleştirilerin dikkate alınmasıyla şekillenmesi gerektiği vurgulanmıştır. Elde edilen temalar, dinleyicilerin AI cover şarkıları bir yandan olumlayıcı bir nostalji ve remix pratiği olarak gördüğünü, diğer yandan sanatçı rızası, adil kazanç ve yapay/otantik ses ayrımı üzerinden sorguladığını göstermektedir. Çalışmada Braun ve Clarke’ın tematik analiz yaklaşımı izlenmiş, 4.029 yorum yedi ana tema altında sınıflandırılmış ve dinleyici söylemleri katılımcı kültür ve YZ etiği literatürüyle ilişkilendirilmiştir. Böylece çalışma, üretken yapay zekâ uygulamalarının müzik endüstrisinde dinleyici boyutunu görünür kılarak ses klonlama teknolojilerine yönelik hukuki ve etik düzenleme tartışmaları için ampirik bir zemin sunmaktadır.

Keywords

AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations

Abstract

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has introduced various innovations and debates within the creative industries, as it has in many other fields. In the music sector, generative AI (GAI) technologies have opened new avenues for both producers and listeners, providing novel experiences. One of the most notable developments in this regard is AI covers, which rely on voice cloning technology. GAI models can replicate an artist’s vocal style and musical characteristics. However, this emerging practice has sparked significant discussions, not only regarding copyright infringement but also concerning the violation of moral rights. This study aims to analyze the controversies surrounding AI covers, focusing not only on the production of such content but also on its consumption. The study employs thematic analysis to evaluate listener comments on the most popular Turkish AI covers available on YouTube. The findings reveal that, in addition to supportive reactions, listeners assess these works through the lens of ethical ambiguities, respect for the artist’s legacy, and copyright concerns. In this context, the study emphasizes that the future of GAI in the music industry should not be determined solely by technological advancements but must also take ethical and legal considerations into account. Using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach, the study codes the listener discussions under five highly engaged Turkish AI-cover videos and organizes them into seven themes, including copyright, ethical concerns, AI perception, artistic value, and supportive or critical reactions. The results indicate that audiences simultaneously celebrate AI covers as creative, nostalgic remix practices and problematize them as threats to artistic authenticity, consent, and fair remuneration. By foregrounding listener perspectives in a non-Anglophone context, the article offers empirical input to debates on participatory culture, musical deepfakes, and AI ethics in the music industry.

Keywords

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Communication Technology and Digital Media Studies, Internet Publishing, Social Media Studies

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Recep Ünal
0000-0001-6181-6255
Türkiye

Ahmet Taylan ^*
0000-0003-3258-2108
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 5, 2025

Submission Date

May 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.24955/ilef.1687789

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA28WD46HL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ünal, R., & Taylan, A. (2025). AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations. Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi, 12(2), 216-254. https://doi.org/10.24955/ilef.1687789

AMA

1.Ünal R, Taylan A. AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations. Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi. 2025;12(2):216-254. doi:10.24955/ilef.1687789

Chicago

Ünal, Recep, and Ahmet Taylan. 2025. “AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations”. Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi 12 (2): 216-54. https://doi.org/10.24955/ilef.1687789.

EndNote

Ünal R, Taylan A (December 1, 2025) AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations. Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi 12 2 216–254.

IEEE

[1]R. Ünal and A. Taylan, “AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations”, Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 216–254, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.24955/ilef.1687789.

ISNAD

Ünal, Recep - Taylan, Ahmet. “AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations”. Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi 12/2 (December 1, 2025): 216-254. https://doi.org/10.24955/ilef.1687789.

JAMA

1.Ünal R, Taylan A. AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations. Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi. 2025;12:216–254.

MLA

Ünal, Recep, and Ahmet Taylan. “AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations”. Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 216-54, doi:10.24955/ilef.1687789.

Vancouver

1.Recep Ünal, Ahmet Taylan. AI Covers: Listener Perspectives on a Controversial Production Model Between Technology, Copyright and Ethical Violations. Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;12(2):216-54. doi:10.24955/ilef.1687789