Tech Giants Advance Music AI Amid Industry Skepticism
Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Apple Inc. are integrating music-focused generative artificial intelligence capabilities into their primary consumer applications, highlighting the rapid mainstream adoption of advanced AI technologies. This development comes as Alphabet seeks to demonstrate to investors that its AI investments can drive revenue growth, while Apple aims to catch up in the competitive AI landscape.
Google's Gemini Expands Music Creation Capabilities
Google announced that its Gemini AI assistant can now produce 30-second music tracks using text, photo, or video inputs through Google DeepMind's latest Lyria 3 model. This feature, available to users aged 18 and older in multiple languages, generates custom lyrics or instrumental audio. Initially launching on the desktop version of Gemini, it will soon appear in the mobile app. Additionally, Google's image-creation model, Nano Banana, will create custom cover art for these tracks, enhancing visual appeal when shared.
The audio-creation tools could strengthen Google's consumer offerings as it competes with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Google received significant praise for its Gemini 3 AI model released in November, prompting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to declare a "code red" to accelerate ChatGPT improvements. However, access to these features is not entirely free: free users can generate 10 tracks daily, while paying subscribers receive 20 to 100 tracks based on their plan. Google has implemented filters to ensure outputs do not violate intellectual property or privacy rules, and users retain rights to their generated tracks.
Apple's Playlist Playground Enters the AI Arena
Separately, Apple revealed that consumers will soon use AI to create playlists in Apple Music through a feature called Playlist Playground. Utilizing Apple Intelligence, this tool transforms text prompts into playlists complete with cover art, descriptions, and 25 songs. Included in iOS 26.4, released in beta recently, it will become widely available this spring, directly competing with similar offerings from Spotify Technology SA.
Apple, historically a laggard in artificial intelligence, is working to incorporate more AI features across its apps and devices, including in its recently launched Creator Studio software bundle. However, some anticipated updates to the Siri virtual assistant may face delays, as reported by Bloomberg News last week.
Market Reactions and Industry Concerns
Following Google's announcement, Spotify's shares briefly erased gains, and Sirius XM Holdings Inc.'s stock also declined. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts noted that while these moves might not be a "deal-breaker" for Spotify, they could pressure the company to launch an AI mixing feature soon. The music industry has responded warily to generative AI tools, viewing them as potential threats to business models and intellectual property.
In 2024, major music labels including Universal Music Group NV, Warner Music Group Corp., and Sony Music Entertainment sued startups Suno AI and Uncharted Labs Inc. for copyright infringement. Warner Music has since settled with Suno, and both it and Universal Music have reached agreements with Udio AI to maintain proper licensing and controls. These tensions underscore the ongoing challenges as AI technology permeates creative industries.
