YouTube is reportedly developing a groundbreaking AI tool that will enable creators to record audio using the voices of famous musicians. Anonymous sources familiar with the matter have revealed that the video-sharing platform has approached music companies to secure the rights to songs, which will be used to train this innovative tool. Discussions with major record labels are ongoing, although no formal approvals have been granted yet.
Last month, YouTube introduced a series of AI-driven tools, including one that allows creators to create video backgrounds and another that facilitates automatic dubbing in different languages. The company had initially aimed to launch the music tool alongside these offerings but was unable to do so due to the absence of rights.
However, the utilization of AI in creative works, particularly when it involves people’s names, images, and likenesses, remains a complicated legal area that has already prompted legal battles. YouTube will need to navigate this terrain to ensure the proper and lawful use of its AI technology. While the platform has had a contentious relationship with the music industry in the past, it has improved in recent years by increasing royalty payments.
As YouTube’s parent company, Google, has been actively developing AI products for years, YouTube finds itself under pressure to innovate and provide AI-based solutions and tools. Both the music industry and artists view AI as both a significant threat and an exciting avenue for creative expression. Music companies are particularly concerned about protecting their copyrighted works from unauthorized use for training AI models. Their interest in AI was piqued when a song resembling Drake’s style went viral, despite not being from the artist himself.
YouTube aims to position itself as a partner in navigating this new technology for the music industry. As evidence of their collaborative approach, music companies have expressed their willingness to work with YouTube on a project centered around AI and music. Additionally, the CEO of Warner Music Group, Robert Kyncl, a former YouTube executive, participated in YouTube’s recent showcase.
This development signifies a potential shift in the music industry’s stance on AI technology and its recognition of the benefits it can offer in terms of creative possibilities. While concerns about copyright protection persist, artists and record labels are beginning to see the potential for growth and exploration. YouTube’s dedication to collaboration could help bridge the gap between technology and creative industries, paving the way for exciting advancements in the future.
