Liza Minnelli Embraces AI Technology for Groundbreaking New Musical Release
Legendary entertainer Liza Minnelli has made a remarkable return to the music scene after a thirteen-year hiatus, collaborating with artificial intelligence technology to create her first new musical work since 2013. The iconic performer, now 79, has contributed vocals to an AI-generated deep house track titled Kids, Wait Til You Hear This, which shares its name with her forthcoming memoir.
A Cautious Yet Enthusiastic Approach to AI Innovation
Minnelli has expressed both enthusiasm and caution regarding her venture into AI-assisted music creation. On her official Facebook page, she clarified the nature of her collaboration with technology company ElevenLabs, stating emphatically: "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!"
In an accompanying press statement, the celebrated artist elaborated on her philosophical approach to this technological partnership: "I've always believed that music is about connection and emotional truth. What interested me here was the idea of using my voice and new tools in service of expression, not instead of it. This project respects the artist's voice, the artist's choices, and the artist's ownership."
Art Garfunkel Joins the AI Music Movement
Minnelli's track forms part of a broader compilation featuring various artists experimenting with artificial intelligence in music production. Among them is fellow music legend Art Garfunkel, who contributes a spoken excerpt from his memoir What Is It All But Luminous over AI-generated piano accompaniment in his track Authorship.
Garfunkel reflected on the intersection of technology and musical tradition, noting: "Music has always evolved alongside technology, from microphones to multitrack recording. What impressed me about this experience was the respect for musicianship. The human remains at the centre. My voice plus the technology simply opens another door."
Industry Division Over AI's Role in Music Creation
The enthusiastic adoption of AI technology by these veteran artists stands in stark contrast to concerns expressed by other prominent musicians. Ed Sheeran has voiced apprehension about AI potentially displacing human musicians, stating: "If you're taking a job away from a human being, I think that's probably a bad thing. The whole point of society is we all do jobs. If everything is done by robots, everybody's gonna be out of work."
Rapper Lil Wayne has expressed skepticism about AI's ability to authentically replicate unique artistic voices, declaring: "I am naturally, organically amazing. I'm one of a kind. So actually, I would love to see that thing try to duplicate this motherfucker."
The Rapid Expansion of AI Music Platforms
Despite these reservations, generative AI companies including Udio, Suno, and Klay are advancing rapidly, forming partnerships with major record labels that allow users to manipulate existing artists' work using AI tools or create entirely new compositions through text prompts.
Mikey Shulman, founder of Suno, revealed the widespread but discreet adoption of AI in the music industry, comparing it to the diabetes medication Ozempic: "It was described to me that we're the Ozempic of the music industry – everybody is on it and nobody wants to talk about it."
Record Labels Shift from Opposition to Collaboration
The music industry's relationship with AI technology has evolved significantly in recent months. After initial hostility and legal threats from major record labels, several settlements and partnerships have emerged. Following agreements with Universal and Warner, Udio announced this week a partnership with Merlin, an organization representing independent labels including Beggars Group, Epitaph, Domino, Sub Pop, and Warp.
This development means that artists ranging from Arctic Monkeys to Aphex Twin could potentially make their music available for use with Udio's AI tools, with individual artists retaining the choice to opt into these services.
The compilation featuring Minnelli and Garfunkel represents a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue between artistic tradition and technological innovation, highlighting both the creative possibilities and ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence in music production.
