Universal Music and Google are reportedly exploring the development of a tool that would allow users to create legitimate AI-generated songs that mimic the voices and style of real artists.

The move comes as the music industry grapples with a wave of generative AI-created 'deepfake' songs being released online.

These songs imitate the voices of well-known artists, like rapper Drake and singer The Weeknd, largely without their permission.

Sources told The Financial Times (The FT) that the two companies are in talks about an AI tool that would pay the owners of copyrights, with artists able to opt in or out.

Another source told the newspaper that Warner Music is also looking at launching a product with the tech giant.

The reports come after Universal Music, which represents Drake and The Weeknd, took down an AI-generated collaboration between the two artists from a streaming platform.

As reported by The FT, the chief executive of Warner Music Robert Kyncl recently said that with the right framework, AI could "enable fans to pay their heroes the ultimate compliment through a new level of user-driven content".

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