Google showcased a variety of new AI services at its annual product fest, including a video generation model called Veo and a tool called AI Music Sandbox that creates musical compositions. The company enlisted celebrities like Donald Glover and Wyclef Jean to make the case for these AI tools. Glover used Veo to create a short film with his production team, while Jean mixed musical styles using AI Music Sandbox. Google did not disclose how much they paid the artists for their appearances.
The use of AI in creative industries has sparked a debate among artists who fear they may be replaced by machines. Last year, actors, writers, and directors went on strike due to concerns about generative AI. Apple recently faced backlash for a commercial that sparked a debate about the use of AI tools in creative industries. A group of over 200 musicians, including Billie Eilish and Stevie Wonder, signed an open letter urging tech companies not to develop AI tools that could undermine human artists. However, not all musicians are against AI, as Grimes invited creators to make music using AI-generated versions of her voice.
Google unveiled additional AI tools at the conference, such as Project Astra, which uses AI model Gemini to create real-time reactions based on a person’s surroundings. Another demo showed an agent performing tasks for a user, such as arranging returns for unwanted items. The company has faced controversy for its AI products in the past, with Gemini being criticized for generating historically inaccurate images. In response, Google paused the use of its image generation tool and issued an apology.
In a promo video for Veo, Glover highlighted the software’s role in the creative process, stating that it allows users to make mistakes quickly. Google’s push for AI tools in creative industries has attracted attention, with celebrities endorsing the use of these technologies on platforms like Veo and AI Music Sandbox. The company’s efforts to showcase the capabilities of AI in filmmaking and music creation are part of a broader trend in the tech industry to leverage machine learning for various applications. As the debate over the use of AI in creative industries continues, Google’s latest announcements are sure to spark further discussion and controversy within the industry.
