YouTube Collaborates With Universal Music Group for AI Music Program

YouTube has unveiled its artificial intelligence (AI) music principles and introduced the YouTube Music AI Incubator, a program designed to collaborate with artists, songwriters and producers.

The initiative aims to enhance creative expression while safeguarding the interests of artists on the platform, Universal Music Group said in a Monday (Aug. 21) press release. The incubator is being launched in partnership with Universal Music Group.

The first of YouTube’s three AI music principles is centered around responsible innovation and collaboration with the music industry, according to the release. The platform acknowledges the presence of AI and commits to embracing it responsibly alongside its music partners. By unlocking new forms of creativity through generative AI, YouTube seeks to empower creativity in a manner that promotes responsible innovation.

The second principle recognizes that AI is ushering in a new era of creative expression, but it must also provide appropriate protections and opportunities for music partners, the release said. YouTube has a strong track record of safeguarding the creative work of artists on its platform and aims to continue striking a balance between the interests of copyright holders and the creative community.

The third principle highlights YouTube’s trust and safety organization and content policies, per the release. The platform has invested in policies and trust and safety teams to protect its community, and these safeguards will extend to AI-generated content. While AI systems may amplify challenges like trademark and copyright abuse, misinformation and spam, YouTube is committed to utilizing AI-powered technology to identify and address such issues, ensuring the protection of its viewers, creators, artists and songwriters.

Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, shared his vision for an artist-centric approach to generative AI in a guest blog post on YouTube. He stressed the importance of establishing effective tools, incentives, and rewards that minimize the potential downsides of AI while maximizing its promising upside. Grainge believes that with the right balance, AI can amplify human imagination and enrich musical creativity in extraordinary new ways.

As AI technology continues to evolve, it is becoming clear that existing intellectual property (IP) and copyright concepts, such as fair use, may need to adapt in order to effectively handle cases related to generative AI, Christian Mammen, partner and chair of Womble Bond Dickinson‘s U.S. Intellectual Property Litigation Group, told PYMNTS in an interview posted July 21.

“I don’t know that we need a full-blown overhaul of the laws just to accommodate this new technology. But there may be some places where it’s worth having a conversation about tinkering with the law or modifying the law in certain ways,” Mammen said at the time.