Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making waves in various industries across the globe. However, the conflict between its usefulness and its ability to infringe on intellectual property (IP) has seen a particular struggle in the creative industries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Major players in the music industry from artists and record labels to institutions like the Grammys and YouTube have all had to factor in AI in some form. <\/p>\n
In the midst of traditional spaces in the music industry dealing with technology, new platforms are popping up that are embracing the technology from the start. Musixy.ai launched on Sept. 14 to serve as a streaming platform, label and marketplace for music exclusively generated by AI. <\/p>\n
Cointelegraph spoke with Can Ansay, the CEO and founder of Musixy.ai, to better understand how giving AI-generated music its own space could shape the future music industry. <\/p>\n
Musixy.ai said that it aims to become the \u201cSpotify for AI hit songs,\u201d particularly those that have been banned from other platforms. Over the last year, Spotify and other major streaming platforms have become more vigilant after Universal Music Group sent out an email asking them to step up their policing of copyrighted AI tracks. <\/p>\n
Ansay said \u201cthe establishment\u201d or major labels are in panic mode again, \u201cas it was back then with Napster, because they fear revenue losses due to a new disruptive technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnlike back then, the AI revolution is not only perfectly legal, but even threatens the existence of record companies; music is not only produced much more efficiently but also cheaper.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He said AI presents \u201ctalented producers\u201d with the ability to produce and monetize a hit song with any famous voice in any language. Musixy.ai particularly emphasizes the creation of new and covered hit songs with AI-generated vocals of well-known artists. <\/p>\n
Related: <\/u><\/em><\/strong>AI-generated music challenges \u201cefficiency\u201d and \u201ccost\u201d of traditional labels, music exec.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Musixy.ai also works with Ghostwriter, who produced a viral song with AI-generated vocal tracks of artists Drake and the Weeknd called \u201cHeart on My Sleeves.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The song initially was said to be eligible for a Grammy, though the sentiment was later clarified by the Grammy CEO highlighting that it was taken down from commercial streaming platforms and didn\u2019t receive permission from the artist or label to use the vocal likeness and therefore doesn\u2019t qualify for nomination.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ansay said if Musixy.ai is recognized as a streaming platform by the Recording Academy:<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first time these amazing AI-assisted songs could rightfully win the Grammy recognition they deserve, produced with the help of AI.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cThis is especially true for those songs that unofficially use the vocals of famous singers with the help of AI that were arbitrarily banned from all other recognized streaming platforms,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Ansay argues that from a legal perspective, vocal likeness is not \u201cprotectable,\u201d as it would violate professional ethics and make it difficult for singers to work having a voice similar to another more famous voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead he suggests that AI vocal tracks should be marked as\u00a0 “unofficial” to avoid confusion.<\/p>\n
Recently Google and Universal Music Group were reportedly in negotiations over a tool that would allow for AI tracks to be created using artists\u2019 likenesses in a legal way.<\/p>\n
When asked if AI-generated music be “competing” on the same level as non-AI-generated music in terms of awards and recognition or have its own playing field – he said both directions could be viable. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor that to happen, one must legitimately, legally, and arguably under the rules of the Grammys, distinguish what tasks AI is used for in music production and to what degree.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Otherwise, he believes a new category should be created such as\u00a0 “AI Song of the Year” or something similar. “Because according to the Grammys’ mission statement on their website,” he argued, “they also want to recognize excellence in ‘science.'”<\/p>\n