On Aug. 21, YouTube announced their partnership with Universal Music Group, among other music companies, with the usage of AI tech in the music industry. 

“These three fundamental AI principles serve to enhance music’s unique creative expression while also protecting music artists and the integrity of their work,” Chief Executive Officer of YouTube Neal Mohan said. 

The first principle Mohan and Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, had worked together on creating the Music AI Incubator. They would not only embrace this new addition, but work responsibly with their partners in music. 

“The incubator will help inform YouTube’s approach as we work with some of music’s most innovative artists, songwriters, and producers across the industry, across a diverse range of culture, genres, and experience,” Mohan said. 

YouTube’s goal being to empower creativity within the music industry, in addition to better understanding how this technology can benefit both artists and fans. 

Moving onto the second principle, YouTube acknowledges and continues to ensure that the appropriate protections will be included along with new opportunities being available for those who participate in using it with the addition of the AI Incubator.

The protections include copyright and content ID, ensuring that those who own the copyright get their share of money when used. 

“A new era of generated content is here, and it gives us an opportunity to reimagine and evolve again,” Mohan said.  “We’re eager to further build on our focus of helping artists and creators make money on YouTube and will continue to do so in collaboration with our partners.”

For the third and last principle made, YouTube had worked on building an industry based on trust and safety. This includes policies they intend on merging with all the challenges of AI, making everything flow neatly together and adding a safety measure onto the AI generated content. 

“If we strike the right balance, I believe AI will amplify human imagination and enrich musical creativity in extraordinary new ways,” Grainge said.

With the concerns of possible amplification of trademarks, misinformation, and copyright abuse,it forces YouTube to be attentive with how they will maintain the balance flow of how everything works. On the plus side however, the AI will be able to pinpoint said challenges allowing them to continue protecting those using their service from Content ID. 

“It’s this spirit of exchange – collaborative and competitive – that has always driven creative progress, and fills me with anticipation and optimism for music yet to come,” Grainge said.