HYBE has launched a new AI-powered artist, SYNDI8, adding a fresh twist to the ongoing debate around AI-generated music and copyright issues. This time, the innovation comes in the form of a girl group, unveiled in late June after weeks of social media teasers.
Comprising four members named Canary, Nest, Goyo, and Raven, SYNDI8 hails from the fictional realm of Nansy Land and employs “voice magic” with “unique magic tools”.
The creation and launch of SYNDI8
SYNDI8 was created by Supertone, an AI voice tech company acquired by HYBE for ₩45 billion (approximately $32 million) in 2022. This collaboration marks HYBE’s second foray into AI-powered artistry, following last year’s debut of MIDNATT, a virtual alter ego of Korean singer Lee Hyun. Supertone handled all planning, production, and the album release for SYNDI8, with HYBE not directly involved in the project development.
Supertone’s signature AI speech synthesis technology, the NANSY (neural analysis and synthesis) model, powers SYNDI8. According to Supertone president Kyogu Lee, this technology has the unique ability to divide and re-assemble voice components, creating artificial speech that mimics human voices. SYNDI8’s debut release, “MVP,” launched on June 27, features three singles: “My Fantasy,” “ATOTA,” and “True Color”.
All of the group’s tracks are accessible here.
HYBE’s SYNDI8’s fictional backstory
The members of SYNDI8 come with a detailed fictional backstory published on the group’s website. Canary is from the Canary tribe, Nest is from the Great Horned Owl tribe, Raven is from the Common Raven tribe, and Goyo is the only human in Nansy Land. This imaginative narrative adds a layer of depth to the group, aiming to engage fans beyond the music.
The release of “MVP” was accompanied by a YouTube clip titled “Magic Voice Prism: The Journey Begins,” which credits Kayle of Supertone as executive producer, alongside Han and Deja as A&R and voice directors, and Chaiyeon Cho and Haeon as tech directors. Despite the relatively modest 53K views, the group’s launch has sparked significant interest and controversy within the K-pop community.
Get to know SYNDI8 members
SYNDI8 Canary
SYNDI8 Nest
SYNDI8 Goyo
SYNDI8 Raven
AI and art in a mutual relationship? Only in a fantasy world
Since SYNDI8’s release, the group has faced several controversies. Allegations of plagiarism have emerged regarding the group’s illustrations, and fans have criticized the similarity between SYNDI8’s name and SEVENTEEN’s Xu MingHao, who is known as The8. These issues have added fuel to the ongoing debate about the ethical implications of AI-generated art.
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The concept of virtual groups is not new in K-pop, with predecessors like K/DA and Aespa already making strides into the metaverse and other virtual worlds. K/DA’s members, based on League of Legends characters, are voiced by real singers such as (G)I-DLE’s Miyeon and Soyeon, Madison Beer, and Jaira Burns. Meanwhile, the AI-generated group Eternity uses face-swapping tech and AI-generated voices, showcasing the growing trend of virtual and AI-enhanced music acts.
Industry response to AI-generated music
The introduction of SYNDI8 by HYBE has further intensified the discussion about AI in the music industry. HYBE chairman Bang Si-Hyuk has previously expressed his belief that AI could play a crucial role in music production, stating to Billboard in 2023 that he doubts music creation and production will remain solely human activities.
The music industry, particularly in the U.S., has shown significant resistance to AI-generated music. In April, 200 artists, including Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, and Nicki Minaj, signed an open letter condemning AI’s potential threat to human creativity and compensation. This letter specifically criticized companies using AI to undermine artists, songwriters, and rightsholders, highlighting the broader concerns about the impact of AI on the music industry.
Featured image credit: SYNDI8/X
