July 17, 2024
Westlife used artificial intelligence to release a song entirely in Chinese.
Westlife uses AI in their latest single
Boy band Flying With Out Wings has embraced AI to succeed in China, using educational software Kogou AIK to create a cover of Jason Chan's 2016 hit “Love + Courage.”
They said in a statement: “The fan response to us singing 'The Ordinary Road' in Mandarin has been truly overwhelming, and it felt like we could give our Chinese fans another fun treat.”
“It took months to complete because we wanted to get the perfect voice, but we're very happy with the final product.
“I'm very excited. I'm happy that it's one of Jason Chan's songs that we performed together on our last tour. I hope our Chinese fans will like it!”
The quartet – Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feeley and Shane Filan – don't actually sing on the song, which was created using the world's first multilingual AI singing technology to sound like them.
But because they were so involved in the creative process, the song was streamed over a million times in its first week after release.
Tencent Music Entertainment added: “Since releasing their album Wild Dreams in 2021, Westlife has continued to deepen their ties with China and Tencent Music Entertainment.
“In 2022, Westlife actively participated in Tencent Music Entertainment Group’s annual non-profit program ‘If Music Has a Shape’, demonstrating their love for Chinese fans through the campaign and taking their love for Chinese fans to new heights.
“This ongoing mutual dedication is why we chose Westlife as the first international artist to collaborate with to release AI’s music.
“By utilizing AI technology, we aim to bring Westlife a little closer to their Chinese fans.
“This is perfectly in line with Tencent Music Entertainment's corporate philosophy of 'creating infinite possibilities with music and technology.'”