YouTube is launching a new feature that will allow creators to use AI technology to generate custom instrumental backing music that can be added to their videos. In an update published to its Creator Insider channel this week, the company shared that it’s beginning to roll out an update to its Creator Music marketplace that will allow creators to generate new tunes using AI prompts.
YouTube says the feature is being “gradually” rolled out to creators who have access to Creator Music, the platform’s commercial music licensing resource launched in 2023. The marketplace was designed to make it easier for creators to find music to add to their videos and understand the costs involved in doing so. AI music, however, will give them another free option.
Creators with access to the new AI feature will see a “Music Assistant” tab appear in Creator Music. In the free text field, they can describe the type of music they want to create, including by specifying details like instruments, mood, the type of video they’re making, and more. Some suggested prompts are also offered below the field to help users get started.
After the tracks are generated, creators can download them and add them to their videos. YouTube notes that the music is free to use, so creators will not have to worry about copyright claims.
Creator Music is available to U.S. creators in the YouTube Partner Program.
YouTube had earlier tested a similar generative AI feature called “Dream Track” powered by DeepMind’s Lyria, which allowed people to create 30-second music tracks in the style of a famous artist. Currently, the “Dream Track” feature is only focused on instrumental music, YouTube’s help documentation says.
The company clarified to TechCrunch that, as part of the Dream Track suite of experimental AI tools, YouTube introduced the ability to create instrumental soundtracks in both Shorts and YouTube Create last year. It’s now starting to experiment with integrating Dream Track into Creator Music.