Launched by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) at its centenary General Assembly in Paris, the Paris Commitment calls upon “governments, technology companies, and cultural industries to ensure that human creativity remains recognized, protected, and fairly remunerated” as artificial intelligence continues to develop (https://www.cisac.org/pariscommitment).

Following the unanimous support of NOA's Executive Committee, NOA President Christopher Pfund has added the organization's name to the growing list of signatories. For NOA, the decision reflects something fundamental to both opera and the organization itself: behind every work we perform, study, teach, direct, design, compose, and create is a human being.

"At NOA, as opera creators, we venerate not only the work and outcomes of the past, but also the creators themselves," Christopher said. "With lifetime achievement, legacy, and competition awards, we celebrate the humans who, with their full integrity, curiosity, intention, and flaws, bring us together in community. We celebrate this human interaction and grow our practices together."

The Paris Commitment calls for innovation that strengthens rather than diminishes the value of creative work and for protections that ensure creators retain agency over how their work is used. Its principles include greater transparency around the use of creative works by AI systems, appropriate licensing, and fair remuneration for creators whose work contributes to the development and operation of those technologies.

Those concerns are especially meaningful in opera. Opera is built from the work of many people: composers, librettists, singers, conductors, directors, designers, coaches, educators, scholars, technicians, and producers. It is an art form that depends on people working with and learning from one another.

"In signing on to the Paris Commitment, NOA seeks to protect and affirm the original work and intent of our members and the many creators with whom they collaborate," Christopher stated. "We recognize the value of technology, but technology should support human creativity rather than exploit it. This view of our work aligns with NOA's fundamental mission and values."

Supporting the Paris Commitment does not mean rejecting technological innovation. Artificial intelligence may offer new tools for creativity, education, and access, and NOA wants to be part of that conversation. But as these technologies develop, artists and educators should have a voice in deciding how they are used and how they affect creative work.

"Opera has always found ways to embrace new ideas without losing sight of what makes the art form meaningful," said Kirk Severtson, Executive Director of NOA. "The National Opera Association sees artificial intelligence as another tool that can support creativity, education, and access, provided it's developed responsibly and with respect for artists' rights. NOA's endorsement of the Paris Commitment reflects our belief that artists, educators, and advocates should be leading voices in the conversation."

The technology is moving quickly, and the questions surrounding AI and creative practice will not be settled by a single declaration. For NOA, signing the Paris Commitment is a commitment to remain part of that conversation and to ensure that artists and educators have a voice as the technology develops.

Opera has always evolved alongside new technologies, new ideas, and new ways of creating. As that evolution continues, NOA affirms a principle that remains constant: technology can expand the tools available to us, but human imagination, intention, collaboration, and expression remain at the heart of the art we make.

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For questions about NOA and The Paris Commitment, please reach out to current NOA President Christoper Pfund.