Google-owned audio and video sharing platform YouTube has introduced an initiative called the Dream Track for Shorts and Music AI Tools that will let users create music tracks simply by providing a text prompt or humming a melody. Built in collaboration with Google DeepMind, Dream Track aims to explore the potential of AI in enhancing artistic creativity and fan engagement.
“First up is an experiment we are calling Dream Track in YouTube Shorts, powered by Google DeepMind’s most advanced music generation model to date, Lyria. At this initial phase, the experiment is designed to help explore how the technology could be used to create deeper connections between artists and creators, and ultimately, their fans,” Lyor Cohen and Toni Reid, YouTube’s Global Head of Music and Vice President of Emerging Experiences & Community Products, respectively, said in a blog on Thursday.
“While initially only available to a small group of artists and creators, we look forward to hearing their feedback to inform future products and tools,” they added.
The Dream Track for Shorts, powered by Google DeepMind’s advanced music generation model, Lyria, is a pivotal experiment in this initiative. It enables artists and creators to produce unique soundtracks of up to 30 seconds for YouTube Shorts, a popular short-form video platform. Thiscan be done by simply typing an idea and selecting a participating artist that appears in the carousel, an original Shorts soundtrack featuring the AI-generated voice of that artist will be produced for the creator to use in their Short.
This experiment is currently available to a select group of artists, including Alec Benjamin, Charlie Puth, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Papoose, Sia, T-Pain, and Troye Sivan. These artists will collaborate with a small group of U.S. creators to generate AI-powered, artist-specific soundtracks for their Shorts.
Furthermore, the initiative includes a set of music AI tools designed to expand the creative possibilities for artists. These tools will enable artists to transform their ideas and inspirations into music more seamlessly. For instance, creating a new guitar riff by humming or altering a pop track to give it a reggaeton feel are some of the capabilities these tools aim to offer.
“Despite the tremendous opportunity AI presents, we also recognize it’s a quickly evolving space that presents complex challenges,” Cohen and Reid said in the blog.
“One of YouTube’s greatest strengths is our strong relationships with music industry partners. We’re committed to collaborating with them as we enter this new era, critically exploring together new opportunities and developing sensible and sustainable controls, monetization and attribution frameworks,” they added.
