Memphis, TN, was the stage for Gov. Bill Lee this week as he triumphed in the passage of a state law aimed at curbing AI abuses in music, namely, the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, which he hailed as a vanguard move by Tennessee to shield artists from unauthorized mimicry of their voice and image. In remarks reported by Action News 5, Lee said, "The industry, for decades and even longer than decades, has been a powerful part of the culture and the economy and the life of Tennessee."

Notables, including State Senator Brent Taylor, Stax alumni and students, and local legends of the music scene, attended the celebration at the Stax Music Academy. Some light-hearted moments were captured as former Stax artist and publicist Deanie Parker held up the sharpie Lee used to sign a copy of the ELVIS Act, the sight causing laughter among those present, The Commercial Appeal reported.

Hitting another note on his tour, Lee's appearance at the Tina Turner Museum at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center highlighted not just the significance of the law but also the integral role of music in the state's identity. Speaking about protecting artists from technological exploitation, Lee said to WBBJ-TV, "We are preventing that in this state. Artists’ voices and their creativity are crucial for the enhancements of people’s lives but also for our economy."

With Tennessee reportedly employing more people in the music industry than any other state in America, Gov. Lee's emphasis on preserving the integrity of this cultural and economic powerhouse becomes clear. Celebrating the future generations of musicians at Stax Academy, this new law is seen as laying down a marker for the country regarding artist protections. As per WBBJ-TV, the governor declared, "It’s a protection against artificial intelligence and what it can do to rob artists," clearly defining the crux of the ELVIS Act and its intent.