YouTube is shaking things up with a bold move to partner with major music labels for an AI-powered future. According to the Financial Times, the platform has approached the "big three"—Warner, Universal, and Sony—with offers of substantial lump sums. The goal? To gain access to their music catalogs for training its AI software.
Last year, YouTube launched Dream Track, an experimental AI feature that lets users create music using AI voice clones of famous artists. Big names like John Legend, Charlie Puth, Sia, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, and T-Pain were part of the initial test run. A YouTube spokesperson emphasized their commitment to securing licenses before advancing further with AI music projects. “We’re not looking to expand Dream Track but are in conversations with labels about other experiments,” they said.
The use of AI in music remains a hot topic, dividing the industry. A survey by Pirate Studios last November revealed that over half of musicians wouldn't admit to using AI to create tracks, highlighting the stigma around AI-generated music.
Adding fuel to the fire, several major record labels and music industry groups recently sued AI companies Suno and Udio for alleged copyright infringement and exploitation. This legal battle underscores the growing tension between traditional music rights and the emerging AI landscape.
In a show of solidarity against AI's encroachment, the Artists' Rights Alliance rallied over 200 artists, including Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry, to sign an open letter in April. The letter calls for an end to the "predatory" use of AI-generated music, reflecting widespread concern among artists about their creative rights.
As YouTube navigates these turbulent waters, the music world watches closely. Will the fusion of AI and music herald a new golden age or trigger a creative crisis? One thing's for sure: the future of music is about to get a lot more interesting. Stay tuned.
Photo: Alex Castro / The Verge
