AI-generated music: Harmonious Collaboration or Discordant Future?
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in various industries, and the music realm is no exception. With AI-generated music becoming increasingly sophisticated, the debate around creativity and the role of AI in music creation is heating up. So how is AI shaping the music landscape? Does it pose a clear threat to creativity? Can it actually enhance the artistic process?
A Historical Perspective on AI and Music
Contrary to popular belief, AI's involvement in music creation dates back several decades. Alan Turing pioneered AI-generated music in 1958, with his work on the groundbreaking "Iliacc Suite", the first musical composition created by an electronic computer. Since then, AI's presence in the music world has only grown, with prominent musicians like Brian Eno experimenting with generative music systems.
Fast forward to the present day, and AI is now being used to create stock music for video content, though it has not yet reached the level of crafting entire pop songs without human intervention. Nevertheless, AI's potential in the music realm is becoming increasingly apparent, and many musicians are starting to experiment with AI-generated music in their work.
The Pros and Cons of AI-Generated Music
As with any technological innovation, AI-generated music comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
Time and Resource Savings: AI-generated music can save musicians time and resources, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their craft.
Consistency and Predictability: AI-generated music can be more consistent and predictable than human-generated music, making it easier to produce in a specific style or genre.
Tailored to Specific Audiences: AI-generated music can be customized to appeal to specific demographics or target markets.
Creation of Soundtracks: AI-generated music can be used to create soundtracks for movies, video games, and other media, providing a more immersive and engaging experience.
Complexity and Intricacy: AI-generated music can create compositions that are more complex and intricate than human-generated music, allowing for greater creativity and innovation.
Disadvantages
Lack of Originality and Creativity: AI-generated music is often created using algorithms that mimic existing music, which can result in a lack of originality and creativity.
Control and Adjustability Issues: AI-generated music can be difficult to control and adjust to fit a specific style or genre.
Monetization and Ownership Challenges: Monetizing AI-generated music can be tricky, as the algorithms used to create may not be owned by the creator.
Ethical Considerations: Is AI-Generated Music "Cheating"?
A major point of contention surrounding AI-generated music is the question of whether using AI to create music constitutes "cheating." Some musicians argue that AI-generated music undermines the artistic process, while others believe it democratizes the act of creating music, making it accessible to a wider range of people.
Advancements in technology have led to the development of instruments designed for people with disabilities, such as eye-controlled harps. This raises important ethical questions about who should be allowed to create art and how it should be created. Are such instruments considered "cheating" as well?
AI-Generated Music in the Works of Contemporary Musicians
Several musicians have already incorporated AI-generated music into their work. Taryn Southern's 2017 album, "I AM AI," used Amper software to create the backing instrumentals for her own voice and lyrics. Holly Herndon's 2019 album, "Proto," featured an AI system called Spawn as an additional band member. British band Feral Five used an AI-generated version of lead singer Kat Five's voice alongside her real voice on their album, "Truth Is The New Gold."
Virtual pop stars like Hatsune Miku, Lil Miquela, and Yona have also gained popularity, utilizing AI-generated music and vocals to captivate millions of fans worldwide.
The Impact of AI on Songwriting and Lyric Writing
AI has also made its way into songwriting and lyric writing, with platforms like ChatGPT generating lyrics in the style of specific artists. While some musicians, like Nick Cave, have dismissed AI-generated lyrics as lacking human emotion and experience, others see potential in using AI as a collaborative tool in the songwriting process.
Several AI music tools, such as Amper, Jukebox, Soundraw, Soundful, Aiva, and Google's Magenta, allow users to experiment with AI-generated music and lyrics. These tools can be a fun way for beginners to explore songwriting, but they may not yet be sophisticated enough to replace human-generated lyrics or music.
Legal Implications: Copyright Concerns and AI-Generated Music
As AI-generated music becomes more prevalent, concerns about copyright infringement and ownership are growing. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has expressed concerns about software like RemoveVocals and Songmastr, which derive new material from copyrighted works without crediting or providing royalties to the original artists and labels.
Determining who to sue in cases of copyright infringement involving AI-generated music that closely resembles existing songs also presents a challenge, as demonstrated by the ongoing legal battles surrounding Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven."
AI Music Generators: A Look at the Current Landscape
Numerous AI generators are available today, offering a range of features and capabilities for musicians looking to experiment with AI-generated music. Some popular choices include AIVA Music, Boomy, and Soundful, each with their unique strengths and applications.
AIVA Music, for example, allows users to create powerful music compositions for various purposes, from film and game soundtracks to background music for presentations and videos.
Boomy, on the other hand, offers an intuitive interface for creating and mastering music using AI algorithms, while Soundful provides a library of pre-generated loops and samples for users to create diverse styles of music.
The Future of Creativity in a World of AI-Generated Music
AI-generated music undoubtedly has the potential to revolutionize the industry, providing new avenues for creativity and exploration. However, it is essential to strike a balance between embracing AI's capabilities and preserving the human touch that makes music uniquely powerful and emotive.
As AI continues to advance, it is likely that it will become a more prevalent aspect of music creation, offering musicians a powerful tool to enhance their creative process. The key lies in using AI as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement for human-generated music, ensuring that the essence of creativity remains at the heart of the art form.