Westlife and Tencent Music Entertainment collaborate to release a Mandarin song using AI technology,Kugou AIK, the world's first multilingual AI singing technology, powers the song,AIK can imitate vocal characteristics and perform songs in 10 languages and 15 Chinese dialects
Irish boy band Westlife has teamed up with Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) to release a Mandarin song using artificial intelligence (AI). The single, "Love and Courage," was originally performed by Chinese singer Jason Zhang in 2016. The collaboration marks a new era of multilingual music in Asia, powered by AI technology.
The Collaboration between Westlife and TME
Westlife, made up of Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan, did not perform the song themselves. Instead, they were involved in the process of creating it with TME's Kugou Music. The song was powered by Kugou AIK, touted as the world's first multilingual AI singing technology developed by TME's Kugou Music.
How AIK Works
According to Chinese media, AIK's AI technology can imitate someone's vocal characteristics completely after they sing or read a few lines. The technology can reportedly support the performance of songs in 10 languages, including English, Japanese, and Korean. It can also perform songs in 15 Chinese dialects, such as Cantonese, Hokkien, and Hakka.
Westlife's Previous Chinese-Language Song
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This is not the first time Westlife has performed a Chinese-language song. In December 2021, the band performed "The Ordinary Road" at their first virtual concert live-streamed through Chinese social media platform WeChat. The song, originally performed by Chinese singer Pu Shu, was the theme song for the Chinese movie "The Continent" (2014) and won Best Original Film Song at Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards.
Westlife's Recent Tour in China
Westlife has just completed their "Westlife With Love Tour 2024" in China, performing in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Shenzhen. The tour was a success, and the band's collaboration with TME is a testament to their growing popularity in Asia.
The Future of Multilingual Music in Asia
The collaboration between Westlife and TME marks a new era of multilingual music in Asia. With the help of AI technology, artists can now perform songs in different languages and dialects, making their music accessible to a wider audience. The use of AI in music production is a growing trend, and it is expected to revolutionize the industry in the coming years. For more insights into how AI is changing creative fields, you might be interested in how AI Artists are Topping the Charts Weekly. This trend of AI-powered creative endeavors is also evident in other sectors, such as how AI & Museums: Shaping Our Shared Heritage by preserving and presenting cultural artifacts.
The integration of AI in music also raises questions about copyright and authenticity, a topic gaining increasing attention. For instance, the recent news about Warner Bros takes Midjourney to court over AI and superheroes highlights the legal challenges emerging from AI-generated content. Beyond entertainment, AI's influence is spreading across various industries, from AI Boom Fuels Asian Market Surge to its potential impact on employment, as explored in articles like Will AI Agents Steal Your Job Or Help You Do It Better?. The rapid advancements in AI technology are leading to significant discussions about its ethical implications and future trajectory, as detailed in reports like the State of AI Report.
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What do you think about the use of AI technology in music production? Do you believe it will revolutionise the industry, or do you think it takes away from the authenticity of music? Share your thoughts in the comments below and Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on AI and AGI developments in Asia.
Latest Comments (3)
Wah, this is really something, isn't it? Westlife singing in Mandarin with AI, I never thought I'd see the day. I still remember blasting their CDs on my old Discman, trying to memorise all the lyrics. Funny how far technology has come. I wonder if the AI managed to capture that classic Westlife *feeling* or if it's a bit too… perfect, you know? It's a clever move for the Chinese market, for sure, but part of me always enjoys the raw, human element in music. Still, good on them for trying something new. Could be a game changer for other foreign artists too.
This Westlife news, quite interesting lah. When I first heard it, I thought, "Wow, AI for Mandarin vocals?" It’s a definite sign of the times, this whole tech integration into entertainment. We’re seeing more and more of it, from deepfakes to virtual idols, and now even international bands are jumping on board to bridge language gaps. Good on them for trying something new to connect with a wider audience. But it also makes you wonder about the future of live performance and authenticity. Is this a step towards more accessible music, or does it dilute the unique quality of a human voice? A fascinating development, to be sure.
Proper interesting to see Westlife, after all these years, doing this. I just wonder how natural the AI vocals really *sounded* in Mandarin.
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