YouTube has announced a collaboration with Universal Music Group to establish a music AI incubator, aiming to develop new artificial intelligence projects and protect artists. The move comes as AI-generated music featuring artists such as Drake, Kanye West, and Frank Sinatra gained viral attention, prompting questions surrounding copyright law and fair compensation.

Nilay Patel, Editor-in-Chief of The Verge and host of the Decoder podcast, discussed the potential benefits and challenges of this partnership with Lily Jamali from Marketplace. Patel explained that the agreement allows Universal Music artists to participate in an incubator with YouTube engineers and artists to create innovative AI tools. Additionally, the deal expands the Content ID system, enabling YouTube to detect AI-generated voices of famous artists and ensure that Universal Music Group receives proper compensation.

Regarding the current state of AI-related copyright strikes on YouTube, Patel noted that there are none. This presents a complex problem since voices cannot be copyrighted. While there may be state-level rights of publicity claims or potential trademark claims, these issues remain largely untested. YouTube is essentially creating its own private right of likeness specifically for music labels to address AI-generated content featuring famous voices. The establishment of this right raises questions about how detection will occur, error rates, and potential challenges in distinguishing AI-generated voices from imitations.

Jamali referred to an example of an AI cover of Frank Sinatra singing Lil Jon’s “Get Low” that gained millions of views on YouTube. Patel explained that Content ID operates across the platform, detecting copyrighted music even in videos with minimal views. Content ID enables record labels to either remove or monetize such videos by sharing in the ad revenue generated. This represents a truce between YouTube and music labels, having resolved years of litigation and avoiding situations where labels sued individuals over the use of copyrighted music.

Patel expressed concerns about YouTube expanding copyright law in a private manner specifically for music companies. He believes that copyright law is the most effective speech regulation on the internet and that YouTube’s actions in inventing copyright law without legal oversight are problematic. However, Patel also acknowledged the potential for this collaboration to inspire more people to create AI-remixed music in a copyright-safe manner, if it leads to a tool where voices of Universal artists can be used with compensation provided.

This partnership between YouTube and Universal Music Group aims to foster innovation in the field of music AI while grappling with the legal and ethical implications surrounding AI-generated music.

Sources: The Verge, Marketplace

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