Liza Minnelli Embraces AI for New Music
Liza Minnelli has made a significant return to the music scene, releasing her first new track in 13 years, which showcases her vocals added to an AI-created dance track. The song, titled “Kids, Wait Til You Hear This,” is synonymous with her upcoming memoir and represents a surprising venture into deep house music for the 79-year-old icon. The track features Minnelli delivering a series of spoken words atop an energizing backing.
Prior to this release, Minnelli hadn’t offered new music since 2013 when she performed for the US TV musical drama “Smash.” Expressing her trust in the potential of AI in music, she commended ElevenLabs, the company behind the track, referring to them as a “six billion dollar techno behemoth.” Importantly, she clarified, “What I will not allow this great company to do? Create, clone or copy my voice! … We used AI arrangements. Not AI vocals … The shout outs are all mine!” This statement emphasizes the collaborative potential of AI while maintaining the artist’s original voice and expression.
In a press release, Minnelli articulated her vision of music being a medium for genuine emotional connection. Her use of AI is intended not as a replacement but as an enhancement to artistic expression. “This project respects the artist’s voice, the artist’s choices, and the artist’s ownership,” she noted, echoing a sentiment that carries significant weight in a creative industry often plagued by issues surrounding ownership and control.
Complementing her work is the feature of other artists on the same compilation, including Art Garfunkel, whose track “Authorship” integrates a vocal excerpt from his own memoir, supported by an AI-generated piano backing. Garfunkel voiced similar sentiments, noting how advancements in technology inherently respect musicianship, asserting that AI can open new avenues for creativity without sidelining the human touch.
Despite the enthusiasm from Minnelli and Garfunkel, the music industry remains divided over the role of AI. Prominent artists like Ed Sheeran and Lil Wayne have voiced apprehensions about AI potentially undermining human musicians’ jobs or failing to capture their unique artistry. Sheeran expressed concern that if AI takes jobs away from humans, it could lead to broader societal issues, while Wayne raised skepticism about AI’s capability to replicate his distinct voice.
Nonetheless, a wave of generative AI companies like Udio, Suno, and Klay are advancing the use of AI in creating and manipulating music. These platforms struck partnerships with record labels, allowing users to harness AI tools for both creating new music and reworking existing tracks. Initially met with resistance from record labels, the industry has since seen settlements and collaborations that reflect a shift toward integrating AI into music creation.
As the dialogue surrounding AI continues, there’s a notable contrast between innovative uses of technology in music and concerns about authenticity and job displacement. Mikey Shulman, founder of Suno, highlighted the broad, albeit unstated, adoption of AI in music, likening their services to a diet drug that many use but few talk about openly. As artists navigate this evolving landscape, it remains to be seen how AI’s integration will redefine production, creativity, and ownership in the music industry.