Google and Universal Music are reportedly in talks to collaborate on a project aimed at monetizing AI-generated songs. This partnership comes as the music industry grapples with the implications of generative AI technology and the rise of deepfake songs that imitate established artists without their consent.
The discussions, confirmed by four insiders, seek to address this challenge by licensing artists’ melodies and voices for AI-generated songs. The goal is to develop a legitimate tool for fans to create these tracks and compensate the copyright owners. Artists will have the option to opt in to the project.
Warner Music, the third-largest music label, has also been engaged in similar talks with Google, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The music industry views the emergence of AI-generated songs as a parallel to the early days of YouTube, where copyrighted songs were used without permission. After years of conflict, YouTube and the music industry established a system that now pays around $2 billion annually to the industry for user-generated videos featuring popular music.
The use of AI in music production has caused concerns among big artists who fear their work will be diluted by imitations. Earlier this year, an AI-produced song mimicking the voices of Drake and The Weeknd went viral but was taken down due to copyright infringement.
Nevertheless, some artists have embraced the technology. Electronic artist Grimes, for example, has offered her voice for use in AI-generated songs and is willing to share the royalties.
Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music, acknowledged the potential of AI to enable fans to create user-driven content, including cover versions and mash-ups, given the right framework and choice for artists to opt in.
Developing a music product involving AI could be a strategic move for Google to compete with rivals such as Microsoft, which has invested heavily in AI technology.
The discussions between Google and Universal Music are still in the early stages, and no product launch is imminent. However, the intention is to find a solution that encourages legitimate creation of AI-generated songs while respecting copyright ownership.
It is worth noting that Universal Music has already urged streaming platforms to prevent the unauthorized use of its songs for training AI technology.
This potential partnership between Google and Universal Music aims to strike a balance between leveraging the creative possibilities of AI-generated music and ensuring artists’ rights are protected.
