Key Takeaways
- Grimes supports AI-generated music and is willing to split royalties equally on any successful AI-generated song featuring her voice.
- AI's role in music creation has been controversial, with the industry grappling with the legal and financial implications of its use.
- Universal Music Group recently removed an AI-generated song featuring fake versions of Drake and the Weeknd from major streaming services, citing concerns about deep fakes and fraud.
- Grimes advocates for "open sourcing all art and killing copyright," and plans to upload stems and samples for people to train their AI on.
- Other artists, such as Drake and Rihanna, have expressed concerns about AI-generated music and its impact on the music industry.
In the midst of the ongoing debate around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production, artist Grimes has voiced her support for AI-generated music.
Grimes took to Twitter on Sunday to announce that she would be willing to split royalties equally on any successful AI-generated song featuring her voice, offering the same deal as she would to any collaborating artist.
The musician added that she is not legally bound to any label, and therefore, her voice can be used without penalty.
AI-Generated Song Raises Questions for the Music Industry
AI’s role in music creation has been a controversial topic, with the industry grappling with the legal and financial implications of its use.
The recent AI-generated song “Heart on My Sleeve,” which featured fake versions of Drake and the Weeknd, has intensified the discussion.
The track, created by TikTok user Ghostwriter977, went viral after being shared on April 15 but has since been removed from major streaming services due to Universal Music Group’s (UMG) request.
UMG’s statement to Rolling Stone emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting artists, fans, and human creative expression, raising concerns about deep fakes, fraud, and the denial of due compensation for artists.
UMG urged platforms to take responsibility for preventing the misuse of their services in ways that could harm artists.
Grimes: “Open Sourcing All Art and Killing Copyright”
Grimes, however, has a different perspective. In a tweet, she expressed support for “open sourcing all art and killing copyright.”
To further encourage AI-generated compositions using her voice, Grimes revealed that a program simulating her voice is under development.
Additionally, she plans to upload stems and samples for people to train their AI on.
Grimes took to Twitter on Sunday to announce that she would be willing to split royalties equally on any successful AI-generated song featuring her voice, offering the same deal as she would to any collaborating artist.
The Future of AI-Generated Media
The introduction of ChatGPT marked a significant milestone in the worldwide conversation surrounding AI-generated media production, which has been used in artwork and music for some time.
As lawmakers, businesses, and creatives attempt to navigate the ethical and practical implications of AI, the technology’s real-world applications continue to expand, potentially leading to significant and lasting impacts on various industries worldwide.
Other Artists’ Reactions to AI-Generated Music
Drake recently criticized the fast-growing AI technology after an AI-generated cover of him rapping Ice Spice’s breakthrough song, “Munch,” went viral.
Sharing a clip of the cover on his Instagram story, he wrote, “This is the final straw AI.” Other artists have also expressed concerns about AI-generated music.
An AI-generated cover of Rihanna singing Beyoncé’s “Cuff It” went viral last week, prompting discussions on the legality and ethics of using AI technology to create music that imitates the work of established artists.
As AI-generated music gains popularity, the debate surrounding its impact on the music industry continues to intensify.
While some fans appreciate the AI-generated songs for their novelty and resemblance to their favorite artists, others argue that it undermines the unique creative process and value of human artistry.
The ongoing conversation around AI-generated music will undoubtedly shape the future of the industry as artists, record labels, and technology companies navigate the complex relationship between innovation and artistic integrity.
