YouTube is trying to make AI music deals with major record labels
What is YouTube proposing to major record labels?
YouTube is proposing to major record labels, including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Records, to license their songs for artificial intelligence tools that clone popular artists' music. The Google-owned platform is offering upfront payments instead of ongoing royalties, aiming to secure rights for training AI software and launching new features this year3.
What payment method is YouTube offering to record labels?
YouTube is offering major record labels a one-time cash payment, instead of ongoing royalties, to license their songs and train its artificial intelligence tools that mimic songs made by popular artists1. The video streaming giant is in talks with Universal Music, Sony, and Warner, but the exact fee for these licenses has not been disclosed1.
Which artists were involved in YouTube's initial AI music test?
In YouTube's initial AI music test, nine artists allowed their voices to be cloned by the software. These artists include Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, T-Pain, and Sia. About 100 creators in the US were given access to the tool, which could only be used to soundtrack videos on YouTube Shorts, the platform's rival to TikTok.