Liza Minnelli Joins AI-Generated Album Collaboration
ElevenLabs, a London-based artificial intelligence voice generation company, has launched a groundbreaking project known as “The Eleven Album.” This album, which debuted on Spotify, is notable for being the first major AI-generated album created with the full consent of human artists. Among the featured musicians is the iconic Liza Minnelli, known for her extensive accolades, including an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT).
About The Eleven Album
Released on Wednesday, “The Eleven Album” includes contributions from 13 renowned artists, such as Art Garfunkel and singer-pianist Michael Feinstein. The project showcases a harmonious blend of these artists’ distinctive sounds with ElevenLabs’ advanced music generation technology.
Artist Perspectives
Liza Minnelli expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration. She stated, “What interested me here was the idea of using my voice and new tools in service of expression.” Minnelli emphasized that the project honors artists’ voices and creative autonomy.
ElevenLabs’ Approach to AI and Music
Founded in 2023, ElevenLabs is striving to alleviate concerns about AI’s impact on creative industries. The company recently introduced a marketplace where public figures, including actor Michael Caine, can license their AI-cloned voices. This initiative ensures that companies wishing to use these voices must obtain explicit permission.
Partnerships and Licensing
ElevenLabs has also partnered with the estates of famous Hollywood figures, such as Judy Garland and James Dean, to incorporate their voices into various projects. Sophia Noel, a representative from the company, highlighted that their music model is trained exclusively on licensed materials.
Industry Trends
As more AI technology emerges, several other companies are actively seeking licensing agreements with artists across different sectors, including film and video games. High-profile cases, like Matthew McConaughey’s trademark filing aimed at protecting his identity, reflect growing concerns about unauthorized AI usage.
- Scarlett Johansson criticized OpenAI for using an AI voice similar to hers without consent.
- Drake withdrew an AI-generated track after legal threats from Tupac Shakur’s estate.
AI Music in the Spotlight
The rise of AI-generated music has led to an increase in listener scrutiny. An indie band, The Velvet Sundown, gained over 1 million plays on Spotify before admitting their AI-generated tracks. Many artists on Spotify, including Breaking Rust and Sienna Rose, similarly experienced significant streaming numbers despite their AI compositions.
Response from Platforms
In response to listener feedback, Spotify has committed to clearer disclosures for AI-generated songs. This comes after a survey showed that many users desire to filter out AI-generated content from their playlists.
Future of AI in Creative Fields
As the industry navigates the complexities of AI integration, Dustin Blank, ElevenLabs’ partnerships lead, confirmed robust verification processes for voice cloning. Each AI-generated voice contains a “sonic fingerprint,” ensuring authenticity and adherence to guidelines. Michael Feinstein, one of the collaborating artists, defended AI’s role in creativity, stating that it can enhance artistic direction when guided properly.
With projects like “The Eleven Album,” ElevenLabs is positioning itself at the forefront of the AI and music landscape, exploring new avenues for artistic expression while respecting the integrity of human creators.
