In January of this year, Google made an exciting announcement regarding its latest breakthrough in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The tech giant revealed that it had successfully developed an advanced AI model called MusicLM, which has the ability to generate high-quality music from text descriptions.
At the time, Google’s researchers stated that they did not have immediate plans to release the model due to concerns surrounding potential issues like unintentional copying and misappropriation of creative content.
However, only four months later, Google has apparently addressed these concerns and has decided to make MusicLM available for public use. Users can now sign up to test the capabilities of MusicLM through Google’s AI Test Kitchen sandbox site.
While access to the trial may require an invitation, a promotional video has been released to provide users with a glimpse of what this innovative AI model is capable of achieving.
It is worth noting that Google has been actively exploring the applications of AI in music for several years. Projects such as Magenta (2016), A.I. Duet (2017), NSynth (2018), the Johann Sebastian Bach AI doodle (2019), Lo-Fi Player (2020), and Blob Opera (2020) are just a few examples of the company’s endeavors in this domain.
MusicLM now joins this lineage at a time when AI-generated music is generating significant discussion, and sometimes even apprehension, within the music industry. To alleviate concerns, Google and other AI music players emphasize that their work should be seen as an assistive tool for musicians rather than a threat to their creative existence.
In addition to MusicLM, Google made several other noteworthy AI-related announcements recently, some of which are highly relevant to the music industry. Music marketers who prioritize search engine optimization (SEO) should pay attention to Google’s plans to integrate generative AI technology further into its search engine. This development holds implications for artists and the music they create. Interested parties can sign up for this particular test as well.
Another exciting announcement from Google is its introduction of a “Universal Translator” product. This technology can transcribe and translate video content into different languages, offering the potential to create new versions of videos where speakers appear to be delivering their message in various languages. In the context of the music industry, this tool opens up exciting possibilities for tour announcements, album launches, fan Q&A videos, and other related content. However, there are concerns about potential misuse, particularly regarding deepfakery. Google has assured users that it will implement guardrails to prevent such misuse and is actively working on watermarking techniques to address these concerns.
This latest wave of AI developments by Google highlights the company’s commitment to defending its position in the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI tools and services. While many of these advancements hold great promise for musicians and the music industry, it is crucial to approach the potential risks and challenges thoughtfully. As previously acknowledged with MusicLM, the rush to respond to disruptive competitors should not compromise the careful consideration of these concerns. By striking a balance between innovation and responsible implementation, Google aims to continue pushing the boundaries of AI in ways that benefit artists and the music community as a whole.
