AI Used to Create Unauthorized Full-Length Song from Snippet, Crediting Artist
Quick Look
- A singer-songwriter's staff issued a statement calling for a halt to viewing and sharing unauthorized AI-generated full-length songs.
- The songs were created using AI based on a one-chorus official audio snippet and falsely credited the artist.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
An incident has come to light where a full-length song was created using generative AI based on a one-chorus official audio snippet. The unauthorized song was then released on platforms like YouTube with the artist's name credited, despite their lack of involvement.
An malicious act has come to light where a full-length song was created using generative AI based on an official one-chorus audio snippet, and then released with the artist's credit.
On June 10, the official X account of singer-songwriter Yui Ohara's staff released a statement regarding the opening theme for the TV anime "Mushoku Tensei III," for which Ohara wrote the lyrics, composed the music, and performed the vocals. The statement indicated that a video, believed to have been created by AI or similar technology to generate a full-length song from the one-chorus audio, had been uploaded to platforms like YouTube, and urged viewers to refrain from watching or sharing it.
"Mushoku Tensei III" is scheduled to begin broadcasting on July 5, 2026. Ohara is credited with writing the lyrics, composing the music, and performing the vocals for the opening theme, titled "Ketsui no Uta" (Song of Determination).
According to the statement, the problematic unauthorized AI-generated video credits Ohara's name, but there is no fact that she was involved in the singing or production, and "no permission has been granted for any use."
Videos that use the voices of voice actors and artists without permission, and use generative AI to reproduce them as if the person themselves were speaking or singing, have been increasing since around 2023 and have become a problem (Related article: "That character's voice, reproduced without permission with AI 'Unauthorized AI Covers' Flooding, Interview with Voice Actor and Lawyer on 'How to Protect Your Voice' and the Future").
While "AI covers" that use AI-reproduced voices to sing songs by artists other than the original artist have been noticeable, cases like this, where parts of an artist's own song are used, the non-public parts are sung by AI, and the artist's credit is even included, are rare.
Ohara's staff official X account pointed out that this is "an extremely malicious act that infringes on the artist's rights." The management expressed that they are "taking this matter, which damages the artist's reputation and brand, very seriously."
They requested cooperation from fans to refrain from watching or sharing on social media these unauthorized AI-generated videos that are not official communications from the artist.
Open Questions
- Who is responsible for creating and uploading the unauthorized AI-generated song?
- What specific AI technology was used to generate the full-length song?
- What legal actions will be taken by Yui Ohara's management?
- How widespread is this specific type of unauthorized AI song creation?
