YouTube is now letting creators remix songs through AI prompting

In a significant move to enhance musical creativity on its platform, YouTube has introduced a new feature that enables select creators in the U.S. to remix tracks using AI technology. This capability builds on last year’s launch, which allowed creators to generate AI-derived songs utilizing the vocal stylings of popular artists such as Charlie Puth, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Sia, T-Pain, and Troye Sivan. The new feature entails the ability to describe desired modifications to songs, leading to the creation of a 30-second snippet that can be used within YouTube Shorts, the platform’s short-form video segment.

Creators who are part of the testing cohort can choose eligible tracks from a selection offered through collaborations with YouTube’s label partners. By selecting the “Restyle a track” option, they can specify how they would like the chosen song to be altered, resulting in a unique AI-generated remix. Importantly, these remixed pieces will be appropriately credited to the original work and labeled as modifications created by AI, ensuring transparency regarding their origins.

This latest feature represents a continuation of YouTube’s broader initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into creative endeavors and deepen the relationship between artists, creators, and their audiences. YouTube had earlier launched the Dream Track feature in November 2023, which utilizes the Lyrica music generation model developed by DeepMind. Additionally, they had introduced a tool that enables users to create music merely by humming a tune—a reflection of the platform’s commitment to engaging its community in innovative ways.

YouTube emphasizes that these experiments are designed to explore the possibilities of AI in the musical realm, aiming to empower artists and creators to push their creative boundaries. The company asserts that by offering interactive tools and new experiences, fans can connect with their favorite artists in deeper, more imaginative ways.

However, navigating the complexities of the music industry is a significant concern, and YouTube has proactively sought to address potential backlash from artists and rightsholders. Prior to launching these AI features, the company announced its intention to compensate artists for the use of their work in AI-driven projects. This commitment materialized through a partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG) to establish a compensation framework for rightsholders, indicating YouTube’s willingness to engage with the music industry stakeholders on fair usage.

In the landscape of AI-driven music creation and remixing, YouTube is not alone. Other companies are also exploring similar avenues, including an initiative led by former JioSaavn executive Gaurav Sharma, who is developing an app named Hook. This app intends to provide legal avenues for users to remix songs for short video creation, showcasing a growing trend of enabling creative expressions through technology.

Overall, the integration of AI into music creation and remixes on YouTube reflects a shift towards enhanced accessibility and innovation for creators. This not only enriches the user experience but also fosters an evolving relationship between artists, technology, and audiences, all while striving to respect the rights and contributions of music artists.