ElevenLabs launches an AI music generator, which it claims is cleared for commercial use

On Tuesday, ElevenLabs, a prominent player in AI audio technology, revealed a new model that enables users to create music, claiming it is approved for commercial applications. This development signifies a strategic shift for ElevenLabs, which has primarily focused on developing AI audio tools over the past three years. Renowned for its advancements in text-to-speech AI, the company has recently branched out into conversational bots and multilingual speech translation. In conjunction with the launch, ElevenLabs showcased samples of its AI-generated music, including a striking track featuring a synthetic voice that raps about ambition and journeys from 'Compton to the Cosmos.' This representation raises eyebrows, as it mirrors the artistry and experiences of real musicians like Dr. Dre, N.W.A., and Kendrick Lamar, whose stories resonate deeply with their audiences. The emergence of AI in music generation, however, is not without its challenges. Concerns persist regarding the datasets used to train these systems, making it a complex landscape for startups venturing into music creation. Last year, competitors Suno and Udio faced legal action from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which claimed that their models were trained on copyrighted works. These companies are now negotiating licensing agreements with major record labels. In a proactive move, ElevenLabs has secured partnerships with Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group, both of which represent independent musicians and their works for AI training purposes. Merlin boasts a roster of high-profile artists, including Adele and Nirvana, while Kobalt represents notable names like Beck and Childish Gambino. The specifics of these agreements remain undisclosed, particularly concerning the inclusion of these artists' music in the training processes.