Grimes opens her voice for AI-generated songs to all!
Grimes has announced that she is inviting musicians to clone her voice using Artificial Intelligence in order to create new songs. The pop singer, whose real name is Claire Boucher, said she would "split 50% royalties on any successful AI-generated song that uses my voice". Her declaration comes as the music industry scrambles to react to a spate of AI songs trained on artist's voices.
Grimes is already working on a programme "that should simulate my voice well", but would also consider releasing a capella tracks for people to train their own software on. After her announcement, fans immediately posted links to songs they had created featuring her vocals.
The Canadian artist said she was looking forward to being a "guinea pig" for the technology, adding: "I think it's cool to be fused w[ith] a machine". However, she did note that there were certain boundaries that would need to be respected. "I may do copyright takedowns ONLY for rly rly toxic lyrics," she tweeted. "That's the only rule... [I] don't wanna be responsible for a Nazi anthem unless it's somehow in jest, a la Producers I guess," she said, referring to Mel Brooks' infamous satire.
The move comes as the music industry continues to grapple with the issue of AI-generated music. Universal Music successfully petitioned streaming services to remove a song called Heart On My Sleeve, which used deep-faked vocals from their artists Drake and The Weeknd. In a statement, the label said "the training of generative AI using our artists' music" was "a violation of copyright law". However, that position has not been tested in court, and remains a legal grey area.
The US Copyright Office recently ruled that AI art, including music, can't be copyrighted as it is "not the product of human authorship". It is still unclear whether art that is created by a human, but which contains AI elements, can be copyrighted.
As an artist, Grimes has long explored the relationship between humans and machines, with songs like We Appreciate Power and Flesh Without Blood exploring the ethical quandaries surrounding Artificial Intelligence. In 2020, she also teamed up with the mood music company Endel to create an AI-generated lullaby for her first child, named X Æ A-12, with SpaceX founder and Twitter CEO Elon Musk.
Grimes' invitation to clone her voice using AI has generated a mixed response from the music industry and fans alike. While some applaud her for embracing technology and pushing the boundaries of music creation, others are concerned about the ethical implications of AI-generated content.
Critics argue that AI-generated music is not truly creative, as it lacks the human touch and emotional depth that comes with human expression. They also worry that AI-generated content could further devalue the work of artists, as it can be created and distributed at a much faster and cheaper rate than traditional music.
However, proponents of AI-generated music point out that it has the potential to revolutionize the music industry by democratizing the creative process and allowing more people to participate in music creation. It also offers endless possibilities for experimentation and innovation, as AI can create music that is entirely new and unexpected.
As the debate around AI-generated music continues, it remains to be seen how the music industry will adapt to this new form of creative expression. Will artists embrace AI as a tool for collaboration and experimentation, or will they resist it as a threat to their livelihoods and artistic integrity?
Regardless of the outcome, it's clear that the relationship between humans and machines is evolving at a rapid pace, and Grimes is at the forefront of this exciting and controversial new frontier.
Grimes' decision to offer her voice for AI-generated music is not unprecedented. In recent years, several artists have experimented with AI in their music, including the Grammy-nominated composer Holly Herndon, who collaborated with an AI program called Spawn to create her 2019 album PROTO.
Similarly, British musician and composer Anna Meredith used an AI program to generate ideas for her 2018 album Anno, which featured a live orchestra playing alongside pre-recorded AI-generated music.
However, Grimes' approach is unique in that she is actively inviting others to clone her voice and use it in their own music, effectively blurring the lines between authorship and collaboration.
It's also worth noting that Grimes' interest in AI goes beyond just music creation. She has spoken openly about her fascination with transhumanism and the idea of merging humans with technology, which she believes could lead to a post-human future where humans and machines are indistinguishable.
While this vision may seem far-fetched to some, it's clear that AI is already having a significant impact on the way we create and consume music, and it's likely that this trend will only continue in the coming years.
As the music industry grapples with the legal and ethical implications of AI-generated music, it's important to keep in mind that this technology is still in its early stages and there are many unknowns. However, with artists like Grimes leading the way, it's clear that AI has the potential to open up new frontiers in music creation and push the boundaries of what we think is possible.