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Microsoft’s Copilot AI: Revolutionizing Music Composition Raises Copyright Questions

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Crafting music traditionally demands extensive training, dedication, and a deep understanding of musical theory. Yet, the doors to music creation are widening. After Google’s venture into AI-generated melodies, Microsoft is introducing its Copilot AI feature tailored for song composition, encompassing lyrics and vocals.

The swift advancements in AI technology have sparked concerns about its potential to eclipse high-skill roles in artistic domains. Notably, music creation, a nuanced endeavor, witnessed Google’s foray into AI-driven music composition earlier. Despite its brief output and limited scope, the AI’s rapid composition capabilities were noteworthy.

In a parallel move, Microsoft has unveiled a counterpart. Collaborating with Suno, a specialized AI music development firm, Microsoft has integrated Suno’s capabilities into Copilot‘s platform, albeit exclusively on the Edge browser for now. Users can access Copilot, activate the Suno plugin, and outline their desired musical piece. The platform allows sharing or downloading the compositions directly.

A test run demonstrated Copilot’s prowess: in a mere 10 seconds, it generated a 47-second track complete with vocals. While the voice clarity was commendable, some nuances might escape comprehension without accompanying lyrics. Copilot offers customization, allowing users to dictate song durations through descriptors like “long” or “longest.” Yet, some AI quirks surfaced, such as evading queries about the song’s instrument usage.

However, clarity regarding commercial rights remains ambiguous. Suno’s terms delineate different rights for free versus paid users. Conversely, Microsoft’s communication emphasizes procuring rights from supposed “original creators,” muddying the waters regarding AI’s ownership role.

The ownership quandary surrounding AI creations persists. Suno purports to hold the copyrights for free-tier outputs, contrasting with subscriber rights. Yet, Copilot’s stance nudges users towards securing permissions from “original creators,” despite the AI’s foundational role.

Given AI’s foundational training on existing data—often without explicit consent—the nebulous copyright landscape has prompted legal challenges. Both tech giants, Google and Microsoft, pledge protective measures against such litigations. Nevertheless, exercising caution before commercializing Copilot-generated compositions remains prudent.

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