YouTube Announces AI Music Principles, Launches Incubator for Artists
In Brief
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan today announced the video sharing platform’s AI Music Principles.
Mohan also announced the launch of YouTube Music AI Incubator, bringing together artists, songwriters, and producers to help inform YouTube’s approach to generative AI in music.
The incubator will kick off with artists, songwriters and producers from Universal Music Group.
In a blog post published today, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan unveiled the video sharing platform’s newly drafted AI music principles, coupled with the launch of the YouTube Music AI Incubator.
The company said it is working closely with key players in the music industry, including Universal Music Group, and crafting an AI framework that aligns with their shared objectives. YouTube asserts that the united effort seeks to responsibly embrace the fusion of AI and music, fostering creativity while safeguarding artists’ interests.
The Three Pillars of AI Music Principles
YouTube’s framework builds upon three main principles, these include:
Principle #1: Responsible Embrace of AI – The first principle acknowledges the presence of AI and YouTube’s commitment to embracing it responsibly. This dedication extends to collaborative ventures with the music industry, focusing on the joint pursuit of innovation as generative AI unlocks new ways to be creative.
Principle #2: Amplifying Creative Expression – YouTube’s second principle recognizes AI as the catalyst for a new epoch of creative expression. Building on its track record, the platform will uphold its commitment to protecting the creative work of artists, balancing the interests of creators and copyright holders.
Principle #3: Trust and Safety in the AI Age – The third principle addresses the unique challenges posed by AI-generated content. YouTube has pledged to scale its industry-leading trust and safety practices to encompass this innovative landscape.
The platform claims that it will proactively safeguard its vast community of viewers, creators, and artists against potential pitfalls of AI-generated content, including trademark and copyright abuse, misinformation, spam, and more.
Moreover, the company recognized AI’s ability to identify content that violates its policies. It emphasized its ongoing investment in AI-powered technology, spanning from Content ID to comprehensive policies, detection, and enforcement systems.
YouTube said that this commitment aims to safeguard the well-being of viewers, creators, artists, and songwriters within the community.
An AI Incubator For The Music Cohort
In addition to the AI music principles, YouTube also introduced the Music AI Incubator in partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG).
This initiative responds to the circulation of AI-generated music that imitates the voices of well-known singers. In April, a track produced by AI that featured the voices of Drake and The Weeknd faced removal from major streaming platforms. The action followed a complaint by UMG, Drake’s record label.
The new program is expected to bring together artists, songwriters, and producers from UMG.
“Today, our partnership is building on that foundation with a shared commitment to lead responsibly, as outlined in YouTube’s AI principles, where Artificial Intelligence is built to empower human creativity, and not the other way around,” Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO at Universal Music Group, said in a statement.
“AI will never replace human creativity because it will always lack the essential spark that drives the most talented artists to do their best work, which is intention. From Mozart to The Beatles to Taylor Swift, genius is never random.”
The program is set to commence with artists including Anitta, Björn Ulvaeus, d4vd, Don Was, Juanes, Louis Bell, Max Richter, Rodney Jerkins, Rosanne Cash, Ryan Tedder, Yo Gotti, and the Estate of Frank Sinatra.
This varied group of participants will contribute insights that will guide YouTube’s strategy for incorporating AI in music, promoting inventive exploration while maintaining ethical AI practices.
“The tech world and the music distribution ecosystem are quickly evolving to embrace this transformative technology and, unless artists are part of this process, there is no way to ensure that our interests will be taken into account,” said British composer Max Richter. “We have to be in this conversation, or our voices won’t be heard.”
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About The Author
Cindy is a journalist at Metaverse Post, covering topics related to web3, NFT, metaverse and AI, with a focus on interviews with Web3 industry players. She has spoken to over 30 C-level execs and counting, bringing their valuable insights to readers. Originally from Singapore, Cindy is now based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Media Studies from the University of South Australia and has a decade of experience in journalism and writing. Get in touch with her via [email protected] with press pitches, announcements and interview opportunities.
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Cindy is a journalist at Metaverse Post, covering topics related to web3, NFT, metaverse and AI, with a focus on interviews with Web3 industry players. She has spoken to over 30 C-level execs and counting, bringing their valuable insights to readers. Originally from Singapore, Cindy is now based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Media Studies from the University of South Australia and has a decade of experience in journalism and writing. Get in touch with her via [email protected] with press pitches, announcements and interview opportunities.
