YouTube in talks with major labels over AI music licensing deal

YouTube is reportedly in talks with several major labels over an AI music licensing deal that could offer one-off payments in exchange for access to their music.

As the Financial Times reports, the ‘big three’ labels aka Warner, Universal and Sony have allegedly been approached with offers of “lump sums of cash” that would enable the Google-owned platform to train AI software with their music. 

YouTube launched an experimental new AI feature called Dream Track last year, which allows certain users to create pieces of music using AI voice clones of famous artists. 10 artists signed up for the test phase, including John Legend, Charlie Puth, Sia, Charli XCX, Demi Legato, and T-Pain.

In the FT interview, a YouTube spokesperson placed emphasis on their commitment to securing licenses before advancing its AI music initiatives. “We’re not looking to expand Dream Track but are in conversations with labels about other experiments”.

The use of AI within the music industry continues to divide stakeholders. A survey conducted last November by Pirate Studios survey found that over half of musicians would not admit to using AI in creating a track.

Last month, several of the world’s biggest record labels and music industry groups sued the AI companies Suno and Udio for alleged copyright infringement and exploitation. 

In April, the Artists’ Rights Alliance assembled more than 200 artists, including A-listers Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry, to sign an open letter calling for a stop to the “predatory” use of AI-generated music.