Do you want your favourite singer to sing a song for you? Imagine Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley singing a song and you are producing it! Sounds unrealistic, but in the world of technology, it is possible. Yes, with the help of Artificial Intelligence. The innovation of AI created a paradigm shift in every industry, be it technology or art.
AI in Music Composition & Production
Isn't it shocking that right now, AI tools like Suno.com and Udio are creating original songs in seconds, from lyrics to melodies to full instrumental tracks? No human musicians are needed. One of the most well-known applications of AI in composition is AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist), which has been used to create symphonies, film scores, and even commercial jingles.
Remember, a year ago, a creator made an AI-generated song called "Heart on My Sleeve" featuring fake Drake and The Weeknd. It blew up on TikTok, Spotify, and YouTube before being taken down by record labels.
AI in Music Recommendation
74% of internet users depend on AI-powered tools to find new music and artists, such as YouTube's autoplay function or Spotify's recommendation engine. This method diminishes authentic artistry and undermines listener trust. Over 8 out of 10 of us can’t tell if an AI or a human created a song. By substituting AI-generated music for licensed music, streaming services might save billions of dollars.
A prime example is “Daddy’s Car,” an AI-generated song by Sony’s Flow Machines, which many listeners believed was composed by a human musician.
AI in Live Performances & Copyright Protection
Artists like Holly Herndon and Taryn Southern have collaborated with AI to create interactive performances where machine learning algorithms respond to live inputs in real time. AI-generated visuals and soundscapes add an immersive dimension to concerts, redefining the experience of concert culture.
AI-generated music often triggers copyright claims due to similarities with existing works, leading to legal risks. 21% of creators faced multiple strikes from automated copyright systems, which struggle to distinguish AI-generated content from copyrighted material. Without fair compensation models, AI music could cost musicians up to €950 million in lost revenue in France and Germany by 2028. This highlights the urgent need for better copyright detection and policies that support human creativity.
Is AI in Music a Blessing or Curse?
AI in music aims to enhance human musicians' creative powers rather than replace them. It provides fresh instruments that can motivate performers, simplify production, and produce distinctive soundscapes. We may anticipate increasingly more creative partnerships between AI-driven music systems and human musicians as AI technology develops.
From the development of the synthesiser to digital audio workstations, history has demonstrated that technology has always contributed to the evolution of music, despite some people's concerns that AI would endanger traditional music-making. AI is merely a new development in this continuous process, offering fresh avenues for musical exploration and production.
I came across an interesting quote from Brian Eno, who once said, "Whatever you now find weird, ugly, uncomfortable and nasty about a new medium will surely become its signature." This feels relevant to AI in music—right now, it’s unsettling to think about AI writing hit songs, but maybe this will be the norm in a few years. One thought that stuck with me is that AI can be used greatly for efficiency and convenience, but it can never replace the soul in music.
"Whatever you now find weird, ugly, uncomfortable and nasty about a new medium will surely become its signature." This doesn't give me good vibes. Music, as any other art form, is all about the human connection and we listen to music to understand people and so why will we be attracted to AI music? It'll be soulless.
Some comments may have been deleted or flagged.