YouTube partners with record labels to define AI-generated music guidelines
YouTube is joining forces with music labels to establish guidelines for AI-generated music on its platform, with a focus on monetization opportunities for both companies and content creators.
The platform has announced plans to invest in enhancing its rights management system, Content ID. It will also update its policies regarding the upload of manipulated content and leverage generative AI tools to identify videos that breach its policies.
Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, stated that generative AI systems may pose challenges like copyright infringement, misinformation, and spam. However, AI can also play a role in identifying such content. YouTube aims to protect its community of viewers, creators, artists, and songwriters through AI-powered technology investments.
While specific details of these investments are yet to be disclosed, YouTube is committed to striking a balance between safeguarding intellectual property rights and fostering innovation led by creators. They are also exploring ways to monetize AI-generated content.
As part of its strategy, YouTube has partnered with Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the world’s major record labels, to establish an AI music incubator. This initiative involves a group of musicians who will provide insights on generative AI experiments and research on the platform. These artists, including Anitta, Juanes, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, the estate of Frank Sinatra, Rodney Jerkins (Darkchild), and composer Max Richter, all have contracts with UMG.
Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, emphasized the collective vision of building a safe, responsible, and profitable ecosystem for music and video. The goal is to empower artists and songwriters to maintain their creative integrity, make choices, and receive fair compensation.
This initiative comes after a viral AI-generated song, “Heart On My Sleeve,” featuring vocals resembling those of Drake and The Weeknd, sparked debates about copyright issues. UMG, Drake’s music label, argued that AI-generated songs violate copyright laws, leading to the removal of the song from YouTube. The legal landscape surrounding AI-generated content remains uncertain following a court ruling stating that AI-created art cannot be copyrighted.
YouTube’s collaboration with music labels and artists aims to address these evolving challenges and opportunities in the realm of AI-generated music content.