More and more tech companies embrace the power of AI and help creators use AI-generated tracks in their videos, ads, podcasts, and other content to avoid copyright infringement issues. Now, in addition to royalty-free music, AI vocals come to light.
A few weeks back, YouTube announced it might soon let creators borrow musicians' voices for their videos. Grimes joined forces with CreateSafe and Slip.stream and made over 200 GrimesAI songs available for use by content creators on any platform. The latest news of all is Moises, an AI-powered music production app that releases AI Voice Studio, allowing creators and advertisers to use their royalty-free voice models.
And the most vital part of these novelties is that tech caters not only to those who buy the voice models but to those who lend their voices as well.
Let's see how these changes shape the future of content creation and which avenues as well as limits creators might face.
Moises AI Voice Studio: AI Voice Model marketplace
Moises has introduced Voice Studio, a royalty-free AI voice models marketplace that enables creators to acquire licenses for AI vocals and support real voice artists.
With this latest introduction, Moises strives to expand voice licensing opportunities through AI applications, enrich the creative journey, and simultaneously safeguard the interests of rights owners.
Our Artists receive 100% of the "voice pack" proceeds for the first year (capped at 10k in revenue); after that, the platform takes a 20% cut. When you purchase a package, you're supporting a real artist, the press release says.
Sound producers, content creators, advertisers, and social media managers can utilise voices differing in tone, timbre, and pitch to effectively articulate their creative concept for their compositions, especially when presenting to artists, labels, or other stakeholders.
Every artist receives passive income based on package sales and, in some cases, a monthly recurring revenue.
AI Voice Studio uses AI-powered voice modelling technology that alters a creator’s voice so it resembles any singer from its catalog. It provides vocalists the opportunity to generate income by licensing their bespoke voice models to other producers and content creators.
Now, there are only 11 professional voices available, but Moises plans to grow its library. According to a press release from Moises, video and audio companies that are under time constraints can produce demos or client content quickly by harnessing this tool, postponing the vocalist recruitment process to a later stage.
The studio’s design is centered around an 'artist-centric' model, which promotes the ethical use of AI-simulated vocals. This approach simultaneously opens up new revenue streams for vocalists and incorporates a contemporary solution for music creation into the producer's toolkit.
GrimesAI records are available for content creators to use everywhere
Grimes, who joined forces with a royalty-free music marketplace Slip.stream and a management tool for musicians CreateSafe, makes over 200 GrimesAI songs available to use on any platform incorporated into videos, podcasts, and livestreams.
Earlier this year, Grimes launched Elf.Tech, an AI tool that lets users replicate her voice in any chosen song. Elf.Tech enables fans and creators to upload pre-recorded or isolated vocals or record their own acapella to be changed into Grimes' voice.
Now the singer goes deeper in embracing AI and, with the backing of CreateSafe’s Triniti API, introduces the platform that offers artists the chance to share their new works on streaming services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and more. Since its inception, over 1,000 songs have been churned out.
Creators can make songs using Grimes’ voice in exchange for a 50% share of the master recording royalties.
YouTube may let artists lend their AI voices to creators
As per Billboard and Bloomberg, YouTube is working on an AI tool that can imitate the voices of real recording artists. Not much is known so far, but it's been speculated that YouTube is currently having negotiations with recording studios. One of the questions discussed at the moment is the monetisation options for artists and songwriters.
When the tool is launched, YouTube plans to test it among the selected group of creators who could access the voices of the artists.
Whether or not it's going to launch, recording companies are likely to opt in because they admit the use of AI in music is unavoidable, and surely don't want to fall behind the curve.
Avenues & dangers creators & artists might face
Creating AI voice models that let creators use and mimic the voices of actual recording artists surely provide a range of opportunities. Not only these models can be used in various formats such as radio broadcasts, podcasts, video games, audiobooks, commercials, and AI voice assistants, they can also provide an opportunity for undiscovered talents to mix their work with well-known voices, creating a fusion of original work with the AI's.
Artists could be encouraged to contribute their voices for the training of AI models, thereby creating an additional source of income.
However, the dangers for creators and artists in this AI voice model space could be numerous. One primary concern is the potential misuse of an artist's voice. While permissions from artists are needed to train these models, once their voice is mimicked, it could be used in any manner with potentially damaging implications for their reputation.
There may also be issues related to copyright and intellectual property. Even though tracks made via AI are royalty-free, disputes may arise over ownership and compensation for their use.
AI could be misused to spread disinformation or for malicious activities like deepfakes, where an artist's voice could be manipulated to say things they haven't, potentially causing harm to their personal and professional life.
One can only hope brands approach this tech advancement with adequate regulations and ethical considerations to safeguard the interests of artists and creators.
If you want to read more coverage on AI in music, check the Kill the DJ's AI section.
