Grimes unveils new AI software to mimic her voice

Grimes has revealed an AI voice software, Elf.Tech which allows the user to record or upload vocals for regurgitation in Grimes’ own voice. The software employs a similar technology as Holly Herndon’s, Holly+. It allows artists to then commercially release the end result for half of any master’s recording royalties.

Alongside the AI launch, Grimes has also announced a pair of new songs 'Music for Machines' and 'I Wanna Be Software', however a definitive release date has not yet been set.

Grimes asked users to “be tasteful” in a Twitter thread about the software, stating that only extreme uses would be subject to banning, listing AI Grimes “Nazi anthem” and “Baby murder songs” as examples.

The 35-year-old has just released a demo of her collaborative remake of Richie Hawtin’s Plastikman track ‘Passage (Out)’ via the new Elf.Tech software.

HOW TO MAKE MUSIC FEAT GrimesAI
- we can distribute it for you and you can earn royalties from your work: https://t.co/p598CXaXnD

— 𝔊𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 (@Grimezsz) April 30, 2023

American composer Holly Herndon has been the lead in conversations surrounding AI in music, writing of Holly+ in 2021, “Vocal deepfakes are here to stay. A balance needs to be found between protecting artists, and encouraging people to experiment with a new and exciting technology.”

The composer continued, “That is why we are running this experiment in communal voice ownership. […] In stepping in front of a complicated issue, we think we have found a way to allow people to perform through my voice, reduce confusion by establishing official approval, and invite everyone to benefit from the proceeds generated from its use.”

Grimes most recently released ‘Shinigami Eyes,’ which was announced as the lead track of an EP called Fairies Cum First, which is yet to drop. The 2022 track was the singer’s second and last with Columbia records, whom she signed with the year previously. Grimes and Columbia parted ways in April.

In 2020, the singer-songwriter released her fifth record, Miss Anthropocene, which was followed up with a remix LP. Since then, Grimes has gone onto write an AI lullaby, appear on The Eric Andre Show, sold a “fraction of her soul” as performance art, and gave birth to her first child with Twitter mogul Elon Musk.

Stream Miss Anthropocene below now.