YouTube is unveiling an experimental AI tool named Dream Track, enabling users to replicate the voices of popular artists such as Demi Lovato and John Legend. This feature permits users to craft brief songs by specifying elements like lyrical content and mood. Nine artists, including Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, T-Pain, and Sia, have granted permission for their voices to be “cloned” by the software. At present, approximately 100 creators in the US have access to the tool, exclusively for use in soundtracking videos on YouTube Shorts, YouTube’s counterpart to TikTok.
Dream Track has already produced sample videos featuring imitations of Charlie Puth and T-Pain, demonstrating a resemblance to the artists but with noticeable differences. The tool’s capabilities were showcased in a ballad about opposites attracting, resulting in a recognizable yet inferior quality track. While some aspects of the vocals may seem distorted, the overall style aligns with the artists’ typical genres.
In a blog post, Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s head of music, emphasized that the tool’s purpose is to “test, learn, gain feedback and hear ideas” from both artists and viewers. The initial phase aims to explore how the technology can foster stronger connections between artists, creators, and their fanbase.
This announcement follows YouTube’s recent commitment to notify viewers when they are watching AI-generated videos. The platform also allows users to request the removal of videos simulating identifiable persons using AI. Dream Track stands out as it has explicit approval from the participating artists, addressing concerns about AI-generated content potentially infringing on copyright.
This development aligns with the broader discourse on AI in creative industries. Previous AI tools faced legal challenges for being trained on copyrighted material, leading to disputes with authors and music labels. Universal Music, for instance, successfully petitioned to remove a song using AI-generated vocals from their artists, citing a violation of copyright law.
Despite the legal complexities, Lucian Grainge, head of Universal, expressed support for YouTube’s initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between artists and technology partners. Artists such as Charli XCX and T-Pain cautiously welcomed the experiment, acknowledging the transformative potential of AI in the music industry.
YouTube’s AI ventures extend beyond voice replication, including projects allowing artists to hum a melody and have software create an instrumental based on the tune. Notably, content generated using these AI tools will be watermarked for transparency.
