YouTube is currently testing an innovative new feature that allows creators to leverage AI to “restyle” licensed songs for their Shorts. A select group of creators has been granted access to this feature, which enables them to input a prompt to alter various aspects of a song. These changes can include modifying the mood, genre, or overall style of the track, resulting in a 30-second reworked version generated by YouTube’s Dream Track AI. This new tool offers a creative way for creators to personalize music for their content while maintaining the integrity of the original song.
If you’re part of the experiment group, you can choose an eligible song from YouTube’s library, describe how you’d like the song to be restyled, and then generate a one-of-a-kind 30-second soundtrack that can be used in your Short. This customization feature gives creators an opportunity to experiment with music in new ways, allowing them to cater the soundtrack to the tone and style of their videos.
The AI-generated restyled soundtracks will always provide clear attribution to the original song. This means that when creators use these reworked tracks in their Shorts, both the Short itself and the Shorts audio pivot page will show that the song was modified with AI. Additionally, it will be clearly stated that the track has been restyled by AI, making sure the original song’s creator gets proper credit for their work.
One of the most notable aspects of the Dream Track experiment is its inclusion of AI-generated voices from well-known artists who have agreed to participate in the program. Some of the artists whose voices may be used in the feature include popular names like Charlie Puth, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, and John Legend. This adds a unique element to the AI reworking process, as the voices of these artists can be used to create a fresh take on their own songs or new, AI-driven tracks.
However, the full details of this test remain somewhat unclear. It’s still unknown which specific songs will be available for restyling in this experiment, nor which music labels YouTube is collaborating with for the project. Earlier reports, such as one from the Financial Times in June, indicated that YouTube had approached major music labels with offers to use their songs to train AI models. This suggests that YouTube is looking to expand its capabilities by partnering with these labels, although no official details on these partnerships have been confirmed yet.
The move is part of a broader effort by YouTube to stay at the forefront of creative and technological innovations, particularly in the realm of AI. As platforms continue to explore ways to incorporate artificial intelligence into their services, YouTube’s Dream Track feature represents an exciting new way to integrate AI into music and content creation. Creators now have more flexibility and creative freedom when choosing music for their Shorts, while also being able to experiment with sounds and styles that might not have been possible before.
The feature is still in its testing phase, and there is no word yet on when it will become widely available. For now, YouTube is likely gauging how users respond to AI-generated restyled music, and how it impacts both the creative community and the broader platform. By enabling more dynamic interactions with music, YouTube is positioning itself as a leader in the evolving landscape of AI-powered content creation.
The Verge reached out to YouTube for additional details on the feature, but as of now, the company has not provided further information. As the test continues and more details are revealed, it will be interesting to see how this new feature shapes the way creators engage with music on the platform and whether it becomes a significant tool for video creators in the future.