YouTube is partnering with Universal Music Group and several artists, including singer Rosanne Cash and producer Don Was, to test AI in the music industry. The newly launched Music AI Incubator, which also includes other partners such as the legacy of rapper Yo Gatti and singer Frank Sinatra, will explore AI-related tools and provide feedback with the goal of engaging more artists in the technology, said Lucian, COO Universal. Grange said in a blog post on Monday.

YouTube CEO Neil Molan emphasized in his own post that the streaming giant aims to protect copyright and monitor unauthorized use of an artist’s voice. Artificial intelligence-generated YouTube videos have been viewed more than 1.7 billion times this year alone. The purpose of the incubator is to find ways for artists to profit from new technology.

“We are committed to continuing to focus on helping artists and creators monetize YouTube, and we will continue to do so in collaboration with our partners,” Molan said. said.

The recent explosion in productive AI tools has raised concerns that creators’ work could be used to create new songs without proper licensing or attribution. Earlier this year, a fake song featuring the voices of Drake and The Weeknd was removed by streaming services after it went viral on the internet. The song had over 8.5 million views on TikTok and over a quarter million streams on Spotify before it was removed.

Since then, recording studios have quickly responded to the perceived threat to their catalogs. Universal Music told streaming platforms in April that they should prevent AI services from using music to create unlicensed content similar to the artists it represents, according to emails first seen by the Financial Times.

Grange has previously warned of “a flood of unwanted content across platforms” and “rights issues with current copyright law” if AI development isn’t checked.

YouTube’s partnership reinforces the perception that the label is taking a proactive approach to managing AI risks. Earlier this year, Universal signed a deal with wellness company Endel that allows its artists and record labels to create mood-appropriate musical soundscapes using Endel’s artificial intelligence technology.

Establishing three core principles of its AI approach, YouTube said that “generative AI systems can increase existing challenges such as trademark and copyright abuse, misinformation, spam, and more. But AI can also be used to detect such content.”

The video-sharing platform said it will continue to invest in AI-powered technology to help protect its community of viewers, creators, artists and songwriters.

Some in the industry have embraced this technology wholeheartedly. Canadian singer Grimes made headlines in May when she announced that she would be happy if someone used her voice to compose a song with AI and even share half the royalties with them.

Analysts have expressed optimism about the future possibilities of AI in music creation. Goldman Sachs analysts said in a research note in June that there could be an opportunity for the music industry if artificial intelligence was used.

“The largest owners of private intellectual property are those who are in the best position to leverage technology and protect their intellectual property,” they said.

Analysts at Citigroup also said that the creation of a new Beatles song with the help of artificial intelligence shows that the technology creates not only risks but opportunities for companies like Universal Music, by allowing them to “sweat” historical assets. YouTube said it will share more details on specific technologies, monetization opportunities and AI policies in the coming months. Source