UMG Partners with SoundLabs for Ethical AI Voice Clones

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's largest music company, has announced a partnership with AI music tech startup SoundLabs. This deal, revealed on Tuesday, will provide UMG artists access to innovative AI voice model technology later this summer.

Introducing MicDrop: The Future of AI in Music

UMG's artists and record producers will soon have access to MicDrop, a new feature from SoundLabs. This platform allows artists to create their own voice models using data they provide. Importantly, artists retain control over the ownership and use of these voice clones, ensuring they won't be accessible to the general public.

MicDrop offers more than just voice replication. It includes a voice-to-instrument function, allowing for seamless transitions between different sounds, akin to how keyboards can emulate guitars or drums. Additionally, the platform provides language transposition capabilities, enabling artists to release songs globally without language barriers.

AI Voice Clones: Innovation and Controversy

AI voice clones have become a prominent and often contentious aspect of AI in the music industry. Viral tracks featuring AI vocals have led to legislative efforts to protect artists' virtual likenesses and publicity rights.

In a notable incident last year, an anonymous songwriter known as Ghostwriter gained viral attention with "Heart On My Sleeve," a song featuring AI-generated vocals of UMG artists Drake and The Weeknd. The track was quickly removed from streaming platforms due to pressure from UMG. Ironically, Drake later faced his own controversy for using a Tupac voice clone in his track "Taylor Made Freestyle," leading to a cease-and-desist from Tupac’s estate.

Ethical AI in Music

As AI technology advances rapidly, the music industry is keen to harness its potential ethically. Major stakeholders, including UMG, advocate for AI tools that respect artists' copyrights and virtual likenesses.

UMG recently released its Principles for Music Creation With AI in collaboration with instrument manufacturer Roland, emphasizing ethical AI use. Similarly, the RIAA launched the Human Artistry Campaign to promote a balanced approach to AI in music.

A notable application of AI in music is Randy Travis's latest single, "Where That Came From." This track features vocals from singer James Dupré to recreate Travis’s voice, marking his first new recording since a near-fatal stroke over a decade ago. Warner Music Nashville credited Dupré as the "vocal bed," a first for the label.

SoundLabs and UMG: A Vision for Ethical AI

SoundLabs, founded by Grammy-nominated composer and software developer BT, has collaborated with renowned artists such as Madonna, Death Cab for Cutie, Sting, and David Bowie. Both BT and UMG highlighted the significance of ethical AI use in their announcement.

BT stated, “We believe the future of music creation is decidedly human. Artificial intelligence, when used ethically and trained consensually, has the promethean ability to unlock unimaginable new creative insights, diminish friction in the creative process, and democratize creativity for artists, fans, and creators of all stripes.”

Chris Horton, UMG’s SVP of Strategic Technology, added, “UMG strives to keep artists at the center of our AI strategy, so that technology is used in service of artistry, rather than the other way around. We are thrilled to be working with SoundLabs and BT, who has a deep and personal understanding of both the technical and ethical issues related to AI.”