Celine Dion Warns Fans of Unauthorized AI Soundalike Tracks

Is Celine Dion about to embark on a comeback? Moments after delivering an impromptu performance, the artist is warning of “unsanctioned, AI-generated music” containing soundalike depictions of her voice.

The 56-year-old recently took to Instagram and X to issue that straightforward warning. In the message, Dion stopped short of calling out particular platforms, instead pointing to the presence of unauthorized digital replicas “across various Digital Service Providers.”

Despite the lack of specifics here, one needn’t look very hard on YouTube and elsewhere to find the unapproved uploads. However, many of the soundalike recordings have been live for some time – raising questions about the notice’s timing.

Most immediately on this front, though the majority of commenters appear to understand the works’ machine-made nature, some look to be under the impression that Dion herself put out the tracks.

“Please be advised that these recordings are fake and not approved,” the Quebec native drove home to conclude her warning, “and are not songs from her official discography.”

Meanwhile, Dion has for years been battling a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome. Her latest studio album, Courage, debuted in 2019; lockdown measures, and later Dion’s struggles with stiff-person syndrome, put the corresponding concert series on ice beginning in early 2020.

In other words, the five-time Grammy winner’s lack of activity is presumably contributing to (or at least not inhibiting) demand for the AI soundalike tracks. And said demand, not to mention consumption of the actual catalog at hand, undoubtedly accelerated after she sang at the Paris Olympics last year.

Running with the point, rumblings of a larger comeback both preceded and followed Dion’s well-received Olympics performance. As things stand, it remains to be seen whether additional residencies or concerts are in the cards.

But on March 4th, Dion sat down for an interview when attending a TGL golf event in Palm Beach Gardens. Besides looking healthy during the discussion – and evidently being up for travel, live happenings, and off-the-cuff discussions – the singer offered a brief rendition of “My Heart Will Go On.”

“I’m gonna come to Vegas for the residency,” interviewer Marty Smith said after contributing vocals to the short performance. Thus, a return to the stage and/or the studio doesn’t look to be out of the question for Dion.

Back to the AI side, unauthorized soundalike recordings remain a big concern in the wider music world, with Sony Music having recently shed light on its related takedown efforts. Earlier in March, the major label led a $16 million funding round for Vermillio, an AI licensing and monetization startup.