YouTube is in discussions with major record labels to obtain licenses for using a wider range of songs in order to produce AI-generated duplicates, As per the Financial Times.
The publisher, relying on information from “three people familiar with the matter,” reported that YouTube proposed providing lump sum payments to Universal, Sony, and Warner in order to encourage more artists to provide their music for AI training.
The Financial Times stated that these payments would be one-time, case-specific licensing agreements rather than comprehensive usage deals.
The recent report comes shortly after Universal, Warner, and Sony each filed separate lawsuits against AI music generators Udio and Suno for alleged copyright infringement, as reported by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In the previous year, YouTube experimented with a tool named “Dream Tracks” for Shorts, allowing a group of creators to produce original songs in the style of various artists such as Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Charlie Puth, Papoose, Sia, T-Pain, and Alec Benjamin, all with the artists’ consent.
According to the FT, YouTube is looking to expand its library of artists and songs, but not for Dream Track.
YouTube’s emphasis on AI-generated music is part of Google’s larger effort to compete with other companies in the field, such as OpenAI’s Jukebox and Sora, as well as Meta’s exploration of AudioCraft, an open-source AI music generator.
In August 2023, Google introduced its Music AI Incubator in collaboration with Universal, a record label that withdrew its music from TikTok due to concerns about fair compensation for artists and songwriters and the impact of AI on human artists.
The label has urged streaming services to take action against AI-generated music due to copyright issues. Google also released YouTube’s AI music principles, in which the company commits to responsibly embracing AI in collaboration with its music partners.
YouTube mandates that creators indicate whether a video was created using generative AI, or else face potential fines, content removal, or suspension from the YouTube Partner Program.
Additionally, artists have the right to request the removal of AI-generated music that has been uploaded without their consent.
Many musicians have expressed concern about the potential dangers of AI to human creativity and fair compensation.
In April, a group of 200 artists, such as Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, Nicki Minaj, Pearl Jam, Katy Perry, and representatives of Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra’s estates, signed an open letter condemning the use of AI in music.
The letter specifically criticized companies that use AI to hinder creativity and undermine the rights of artists, songwriters, musicians, and rights holders, particularly those that train AI models using music without the artist’s consent.
This issue is particularly relevant as more and more licensing deals are being made with AI companies, including in the news and media industry.
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