AI Impact: How AI is transforming the music industry

CNBC Television
28 Mar 202404:33

TLDRThe video script discusses the impact of AI on the music industry, highlighting YouTube's Dream Track tool, which generates music using the voices of famous artists. The tool is being integrated into YouTube Shorts and aims to protect artists' voices from exploitation through partnerships with record labels. The script explores the potential of AI to revolutionize music creation and the challenges faced in scaling the technology. It also touches on the reactions of artists and creators to this new tool and its implications for the future of music.

Takeaways

  • 🎵 AI is being used to create music, disrupting the traditional music industry with tools like YouTube's Dream Track.
  • 🔔 Record labels and YouTube are collaborating to establish 'guardrails' that protect artists' voices from exploitation and ensure they can profit from custom music creations.
  • 🌟 YouTube's Dream Track tool was tested with nine famous artists, including John Legend and Demi Lovato, who were paid for their participation in this generative AI experiment.
  • 🎶 The tool can generate music quickly, as demonstrated when it was asked to create a song about the stock market, showcasing the potential speed of AI-generated content.
  • 🚀 While YouTube isn't the first to explore AI in music, their efforts with Dream Track indicate a move towards embracing and adapting to new technologies in the music space.
  • 🛠️ There are still challenges ahead and work to be done before the technology can be fully scaled and made widely available to the public.
  • 🤖 Generative AI tools like Dream Track could revolutionize the music industry, offering custom playlists and new opportunities for artists and creators.
  • 💡 Artists are concerned about the potential for voice theft and exploitation, but are interested in participating if they feel they have ownership and can benefit financially.
  • 🎤 Smaller, up-and-coming artists may find it challenging to make a name for themselves in an industry increasingly influenced by AI and dominated by big names.
  • 🎧 The integration of AI in music creation presents both opportunities and threats, prompting artists and the industry to consider how to adapt and stay relevant.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic discussed in the transcript?

    -The main topic discussed in the transcript is the impact of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) on the music industry and how it is being used to create music, as well as the measures being taken to protect artists' voices from exploitation.

  • What is YouTube's Dream Track tool?

    -YouTube's Dream Track tool is an A.I. song creation platform that is part of Google's experiment in generative A.I. It is designed to produce custom music using the voices of famous artists.

  • How is Google addressing the potential exploitation of artists' voices in A.I. generated music?

    -Google is partnering with record labels to create guardrails that prevent the misuse of artists' voices and ensure they can profit from the custom music created using their voices.

  • Which artists have been involved in the initial test of Dream Track?

    -Artists such as John Legend, Demi Lovato, and T-Payne have been involved in the initial test of Dream Track, and they have been paid for their participation.

  • What was the subject of the song created by Dream Track during the demo?

    -During the demo, Dream Track was asked to create a song about the stock market, with lyrics mentioning the S&P.

  • What challenges does YouTube face in fully scaling the Dream Track product?

    -YouTube faces challenges in developing the technology and understanding the opportunities it presents. They acknowledge that a lot of work is needed before the product can be fully scaled and made available to the public.

  • How does the generative A.I. tool impact the traditional music creation process?

    -The generative A.I. tool has the potential to revolutionize the music creation process by quickly producing custom music, which could have significant implications for artists and the music industry as a whole.

  • What are the potential benefits for artists in using A.I. generated music?

    -If artists feel they own a part of the A.I. generated music and can profit from it, with clear guardrails on how their voices are used, they may be more inclined to engage with the technology and explore new opportunities.

  • How might smaller artists benefit from A.I. in music creation?

    -While the transcript primarily discusses the impact on well-known artists, it suggests that smaller artists might also benefit from A.I. technology, although it does not elaborate on the specifics within the provided content.

  • What is the concern for artists in the context of A.I. music creation?

    -The concern for artists is the potential for exploitation if their voices are used without proper guardrails. They worry about the 'Wild West' scenario where their voices could be stolen and used without their consent or profit.

  • How does the Dream Track demo showcase the capabilities of generative A.I.?

    -The Dream Track demo showcased the ability of the generative A.I. tool to quickly create music, raising expectations about the possibilities when the technology becomes widely available at scale.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 AI in the Music Industry

This paragraph discusses the impact of AI on the music industry, highlighting YouTube's Dream Track tool as a prime example. The tool, part of Google's generative AI experiments, collaborates with record labels to ensure artists' voices are not exploited and can profit from custom music creations. The paragraph mentions famous artists such as John Legend and Demi Lovato who have been paid for their participation in this initiative. It also touches on the challenges faced in scaling the product and the potential future where custom music creation becomes widely accessible.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡A.I. (Artificial Intelligence)

A.I. refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. In the context of the video, A.I. is being used to create music, demonstrating its ability to generate creative content. The video discusses how A.I. is disrupting various industries, particularly the music industry, by creating custom songs and potentially impacting artists' voices and profits.

💡Disruption

Disruption refers to a process of upheaval and transformation within an industry or market, often caused by new technologies or business models. In the video, A.I. is described as a disruptive force across different sectors, with a particular focus on the music industry. The introduction of A.I. in music creation challenges traditional methods and raises questions about the future of artistry and intellectual property.

💡Dream Track Tool

The Dream Track Tool is a specific application of A.I. developed by YouTube, which is part of Google's broader experiments in generative A.I. This tool is designed to create music by integrating with social media platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok. The video highlights how this tool allows for the creation of A.I. songs using the voices of famous artists, indicating a new avenue for content creation and potential revenue streams.

💡Record Labels

Record labels are companies that manage the music production, marketing, and distribution of an artist's work. In the video, it is mentioned that Google is partnering with record labels to establish guardrails for the use of A.I. in music creation. This partnership aims to protect artists' voices from exploitation and ensure they can profit from the custom music created by A.I.

💡Generative A.I.

Generative A.I. refers to the subset of artificial intelligence that is used to create new content, such as music, art, or text. The video discusses Google's experiments with generative A.I., particularly through the Dream Track Tool, which can generate music by mimicking the voices of famous artists. This technology represents a significant advancement in A.I.'s capabilities and its application in creative industries.

💡Custom Music

Custom music refers to the creation of unique musical pieces tailored to specific requirements or preferences. In the video, the Dream Track Tool is highlighted as a means to produce custom music using A.I., which can potentially revolutionize the music industry by offering personalized songs. This raises questions about the role of human creativity and the potential commercial applications of A.I.-generated music.

💡Guardrails

Guardrails are measures put in place to prevent certain actions or outcomes, providing boundaries within which a process or system can operate. In the context of the video, guardrails are being developed in partnership with record labels to ensure that A.I.-generated music does not exploit artists' voices and that artists can benefit financially from the technology. This concept is crucial for balancing innovation with ethical considerations and artist rights.

💡YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts is a feature on YouTube that allows users to create and share short, vertical videos, similar to TikTok. The video script mentions that the Dream Track Tool was tested as an integration into YouTube Shorts, indicating that A.I.-generated music can be a part of this emerging format of content creation. This integration suggests a potential new avenue for artists to engage with their audience and for the platform to diversify its content offerings.

💡Stock Market

The stock market is a marketplace where buyers and sellers trade shares of publicly-held companies. In the video, it is mentioned that the Dream Track Tool was used to create a song about the stock market, showcasing the versatility of A.I. in generating content on various topics. This example illustrates how A.I. can be applied to create tailored content, even in complex or niche areas like finance.

💡Music Piracy

Music piracy refers to the unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted music. The video discusses the challenges faced by the music industry two decades after the rise of music piracy, suggesting that new technologies like A.I. could offer solutions to prevent unauthorized use of artists' work. The development of tools to protect artists' intellectual property rights is highlighted as a priority in the face of technological advancements.

💡Content Creation

Content creation is the process of producing and sharing original content, such as music, videos, or written works. In the video, A.I.'s role in content creation is emphasized, particularly in the music industry. The Dream Track Tool exemplifies how A.I. can assist or even lead in creating music, raising questions about the future of human artists and the creative process in the context of advanced technology.

💡Intellectual Property

Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, artistic works, designs, and symbols used in commerce. In the video, the concern for protecting artists' voices as a form of intellectual property is discussed. The development of guardrails for A.I.-generated music ensures that artists' intellectual property rights are respected and that they can profit from their work, even when it is created or manipulated by artificial intelligence.

Highlights

A.I. is disrupting a range of industries, including the music sector.

YouTube's Dream Track Tool is an example of generative A.I. in music creation.

Google is partnering with record labels to create guardrails against exploitation of artists' voices.

Dream Track was tested as an integration into YouTube Shorts, competing with TikTok.

Nine artists, including John Legend and Demi Lovato, are paid for their participation in this A.I. music project.

The tool was demoed to create a song about the stock market, showcasing its versatility.

Music piracy's future is being addressed with new technology like Dream Track.

Artists like Grimes are also exploring ways to include their music in A.I. platforms.

There are challenges in scaling the product to a level where anyone can make their own song.

YouTube creators and fans are getting a glimpse of the future of custom music.

The generative A.I. tool can create music remarkably quickly.

The impact of A.I. on artists' careers and the music industry as a whole is significant.

Artists are interested in joining the platform if they feel they have ownership and profit from it.

The A.I. music creation may lead to a shift in how artists make a name for themselves.

The concert business benefits from such technology, but smaller names struggle.

The process of figuring out how to adapt to this new technology is ongoing.

The experience of using A.I. to create music is described as fun and engaging.