YouTube has rolled out a new tool that allows selected creators in the U.S. to remix and restyle songs using AI-generated prompts. Previously, YouTube allowed creators to generate songs by typing prompts that utilized vocal samples from artists like Charlie Puth, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Sia, T-Pain, and Troye Sivan. Now, the platform has added an option where creators can alter a song’s style based on descriptions they provide.
To enable this new remixing feature, YouTube has partnered with record labels, providing access to select songs for creators in an experimental program. Creators in the test group can choose an available song, click the “Restyle a track” feature, and input a description of how they’d like the song to sound. The AI then generates a 30-second clip matching the given style, which creators can incorporate into their YouTube Shorts.
According to a support page, each AI-remixed audio snippet will be attributed to the original song, both within the Short and on the Shorts audio page, where it will also carry a label indicating the track was modified using AI.
In November 2023, YouTube introduced the Dream Track feature, powered by Deepmind’s Lyrica music generation model. This tool enabled users to create custom tracks by simply humming a melody. YouTube’s goal with these tools is to enhance the creative process, enabling creators and artists to explore new creative approaches and engage with their audiences in interactive ways.
YouTube has also taken steps to address music rights. Last August, the company committed to compensating artists and rights holders for the use of their work in AI features, announcing a partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG) to establish a system for paying out royalties.
YouTube is not alone in exploring AI-driven music remix tools. Gaurav Sharma, a former JioSaavn executive, is working on an app called Hook, which aims to let users legally remix songs for short video content. As music streaming platforms and social media seek to innovate with AI, more tools that allow users to create and share custom audio content are likely to emerge.
