YouTube and Google DeepMind are joining forces to introduce innovative AI tools, including the groundbreaking Music AI tool, to aid artists and creators in translating ideas into music. This initiative follows YouTube's recent decision to remove AI-generated music and covers accessible through the platform's privacy request process.
Lyria, the music AI tool, shows great potential, allowing artists to create new guitar riffs by humming and transforming pop tracks into various genres, as reported by TechCrunch. Google is also developing tools to enhance fan-artist interactions, alongside Dream Track, an AI tool facilitating original soundtracks for YouTube Shorts videos. These tools will be available to Music AI Incubator participants later this year, utilizing Google DeepMind's advanced music generation model, Lyra.
YouTube Dream Track Collaborating with Music Artists
Nine renowned artists, including Alec Benjamin, Charlie Puth, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Papoose, Sia, T-Pain, and Troye Sivan, are actively participating in the Dream Track experiment. YouTube and DeepMind emphasize their involvement in refining the models through testing and feedback.
Lyor Cohen, Head of Music for YouTube, and Toni Reed, VP of Emerging Experiences and Community Projects, underscore that the Music AI tools are a product of the Music AI Incubator, where artists, songwriters, and producers contribute to testing and feedback.
However, the use of AI to replicate artists' voices has faced challenges. Earlier this year, Universal Music Group filed copyright claims to remove an AI-generated song, "Heart on My Sleeve," from platforms like YouTube, sounding like an unauthorized collaboration between Drake and the Weeknd. UMG's CEO Lucian Grainge emphasizes the need to balance progress with protection, ensuring the evolution of the digital ecosystem safeguards artists.
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl acknowledges the "challenges and opportunities" of AI, highlighting YouTube's collaborative beta approach. "YouTube is taking a collaborative approach with this beta. These artists are being offered the choice to lean in, and we're pleased to experiment and find out what the creators come up with," he said, as quoted by Variety.
More Amazing Features to Rollout Later
While Dream Track sees a limited release, the broader rollout of Music AI tools is scheduled later this year, covering areas such as creating music on specific instruments and building ensemble compositions based on humming tunes.
DeepMind and YouTube prioritize ensuring AI-generated music remains credible and aesthetically pleasing. Extended exposure to AI-generated music can lead to distortions, attributed to the complexity of information in music models.
YouTube's generative conversational AI, powered by Bard technology, recently rolled out for Premium users. This feature enables interactions with a chatbot for video-related summaries and information, as per MS Power User.
Regarding safety measures, YouTube recently unveiled updated policies mandating creators to specify when they've posted AI-generated material. Additionally, the platform mentioned forthcoming methods for users to request the elimination of content on YouTube that either imitates a recognizable person or replicates an artist's distinctive singing or rapping voice without proper authorization.
