Grimes Embraces AI in Music: Invites Artists to Use Her Voice in New Songs
Canadian singer Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, has invited musicians to use her voice in AI generated songs, stating that she would split 50% of royalties on any successful AI-generated track that includes her voice. In a tweet, Grimes said that she liked the idea of "killing copyright" and being a "guinea pig" for the fusion of human art with AI. This comes as the music industry grapples with the implications of AI-generated tracks and the issue of copyright infringement.
Last week, Universal Music successfully petitioned platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify to remove a track titled "Heart On My Sleeve," which used AI-generated vocals from their artists Drake and the Weeknd. This is one of several instances where AI has been used to create songs with the voices of popular artists, raising legal questions about copyright and ownership of AI-generated content.
The issue of copyright for AI-generated art, including music, is a legal grey area. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has warned that AI companies may be violating copyrights by using music to train their machines. However, the US Copyright Office ruled last month that AI-generated art is not eligible for copyright as it is not the product of human authorship.
Grimes, who is known for exploring the intersection of art and technology in her music, has expressed support for AI and its potential in the creative process. She has mentioned working on software to simulate her voice and has even considered releasing vocal tracks for people to use in training AI. However, she has also stated that she may pursue copyright takedowns for songs with "toxic lyrics" or content that promotes racism, violence, or anti-abortion sentiments.
Grimes has previously collaborated with music company Endel to create an AI-generated lullaby for her son, and she has spoken positively about the potential of AI in interviews. Her invitation to use her voice in AI-generated songs adds to the ongoing discussions around the role of AI in the music industry and the evolving landscape of copyright and ownership in the digital age.