AI Guardrails and the “Four P’s” – February 4, 2026
In a packed roo
m reflecting the high stakes of the modern music landscape, the leadership of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) delivered a pivotal lecture to the Copyright Society of the South on February 4, 2026. As Generative AI shifts from a technological novelty to a direct market competitor, Executive Director Bart Herbison and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Turnbow addressed an audience of creators, industry professionals, and advocates regarding the unauthorized ingestion of copyrighted works by AI models—a practice many in the industry describe as an “existential crisis.”
Defending the “Four P’s”
NSAI COO Jennifer Turnbow and Executive Director Bart Herbison present updates regarding AI and its affects on the copyright industry to the Copyright Society of the South on February 4, 2026.
Central to the discussion was the “Four P’s” framework, a legislative and industry standard spearheaded by NSAI. The framework is designed to ensure that the global transition to an AI-driven economy does not dismantle the intellectual property rights that sustain the songwriting profession. Many believe the transition to AI does not come at the expense of the people who provide the very soul of the music. Guardrails are being established to ensure that human creativity is protected, compensated, and credited.
A Legacy of Advocacy
The lecture drew on the extensive legislative experience of the speakers:
- Bart Herbison, a veteran advocate with decades of experience on Capitol Hill and Music Row, has been instrumental in landmark achievements including the Music Modernization Act (2018).
- Jennifer Turnbow, COO of NSAI and Festival Director for Tin Pan South, provided insights into the operational and financial challenges songwriters face in a landscape where tech giants often bypass traditional licensing.
About NSAI
Established in 1967, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization. Representing nearly 5,000 members across the U.S. and beyond, NSAI is dedicated to protecting the rights of songwriters in all genres. The organization also owns and operates the world-famous Bluebird Cafe and the Music Mill studios in Nashville.
For more information on NSAI’s legislative efforts and the “Four P’s” framework, please visit www.nashvillesongwriters.com.
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