AI audio generation platform ElevenLabs announced it is releasing a fully AI-generated album, the first to be made with full permission from included artists.
The album titled ‘The Eleven Album’ features 13 songs from known artists, including Liza Minnelli and Simon & Garfunkel’s Art Garfunkel.
The album’s tracks are a collaboration between the artists and AI-generated instrumentals – with some artist’s actual voice being used over AI-generated music in some cases, and other artists using AI-generated versions of their own voice.
The London-born AI company said song creators will take full ownership and take 100 percent of streaming royalties.
The release marks a pivotal moment in the AI audio sphere, signalling a move to respect artists’ rights against AI tools that use their work or likeness without permission.
A Turning Point for AI Music Licensing?
This move takes place against the backdrop of growing backlash over the use of artists’ voice and sound to create AI-generated work, often without permission or compensation.
Critics of AI-generated music have slated the lack of a creative process involved, and many musicians have warned against their likeness being used.
Recently, Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey filed a trademark of himself – including his catchphrase “alright, alright, alright” – against unauthorised AI use.
The ElevenLabs album signals hopes from the company to carve out an alternative relationship with artists, where their voice and sound isn’t taken without permission, but is used in alliance with them.
ElevenLabs recently launched a marketplace where public figures can license their voices to be replicated using AI, meaning companies would need strict approval before using their voice in media campaigns or other creative works.
Artists in this marketplace include late icons Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds, and Laurence Olivier.
ElevenLabs was founded in London in 2022 by Piotr Dąbkowski and Mati Staniszewski, quickly emerging as a leader in AI voice technology. The company was reported to be in funding talks that would give the company a market valuation of $11 billion, the FT reported.
