Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently become an influential force in the music industry, transforming how music is created, produced, and consumed with no signs of slowing any time in the future. This post explores the multifaceted role of AI in music, its applications, potential threats, and the skills required to leverage this technology as it becomes harder to avoid.
Applications of AI in Music
AI is being utilized in various ways within the music industry:
- Composition and Songwriting: AI algorithms can compose music in various genres. OpenAI’s MuseNet, for instance, can generate music with ten different instruments in multiple styles ranging from classical to pop. Another notable example is AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist), which has composed music for video games, advertising, and films. These continue with Lalalai, a platform used to separate stems in your favorite songs. Many use this for study material in things like sound design and audio engineering.
- Music Production: AI assists in producing music by analyzing patterns and suggesting changes. Companies like LANDR use AI to master tracks, providing musicians with professional-quality sound without needing a human mastering engineer. Possibly the oldest in this list, LANDR has been around since 2014 and has surely helped hundreds of musicians get their music out of the bedroom studio.
- Personalized Recommendations: Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music utilize AI to curate personalized playlists. Something you may have seen before in the implementation of ‘Spotify DJ’. By analyzing listening habits, these platforms recommend songs tailored to individual preferences. Recently, Spotify has faced some backlash about this service online with it recommending the same songs repeatedly, or even playing music that people aren’t interested in. One cannot fault the platform for this though, because the point of it is to mix in songs they think you may like and they have no way to know until you rate it. Leading to the point of many users that we may have too high expectations of AI in this regard.
- Lyric Generation: Tools like ChatGPT 3 can generate lyrics based on given themes or keywords, aiding songwriters in overcoming creative blocks. Many have argued that this is killing the art of songwriting, while the other side of this is that it should be used as a tool when writing, not going to GPT for lyrics.
Potential Threats to Traditional Music
AI's advancements pose a threat to certain types of music and traditional roles within the industry:
- Job Displacement: AI’s ability to compose, produce, and master music may threaten jobs traditionally held by human musicians, producers, and sound engineers. These services have been done but are now taking off to a new level, which worries some musicians.
- Homogenization: There is a concern that AI-generated music could lead to a homogenized sound, lacking the emotional depth and unique touch of human artists.
Monetizing AI in Music
Several individuals and companies are already profiting from AI in music:
- Endel: This AI-driven app generates personalized soundscapes to help users focus, relax, and sleep. It has secured deals with major labels like Warner Music Group.
- Amper Music: Founded by Drew Silverstein, Amper Music uses AI to help users create and customize original music tracks. The platform caters to content creators looking for affordable music solutions.
Learning Curve and Required Skills
Is it easy to learn how to use AI in music? The answer depends what you want to do:
- Ease of Use: Many AI tools are designed with user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to individuals with basic technical skills. For instance, platforms like Amper Music require no prior musical knowledge to create tracks.
- Advanced Skills: To fully harness AI’s capabilities, knowledge in music theory, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and programming languages like Python can be beneficial. Understanding machine learning principles can also be advantageous as these programs and the capabilities expand with time.
Ethical Considerations
The use of AI in music raises questions about artistic integrity:
- Creativity vs. Automation: Critics argue that AI-generated music lacks the authenticity and emotional depth of human-created music. However, proponents believe that AI can be a tool for enhancing human creativity rather than replacing it.
- Ownership and Copyright: Determining ownership of AI-generated works can be complex. Legal frameworks are still evolving to address these challenges. Youtube and Instagram for instance are fully on board with AI content creation, but they have provided an option to mark your content as AI generated so the viewer knows. This could have many workarounds and there is no telling how the honesty of users will play a part in the growth of these services as it becomes harder to tell the truth from fake generated content.
Conclusion
AI is undeniably reshaping the music industry, offering exciting opportunities and posing significant challenges. By understanding and embracing these advancements, musicians and industry professionals can leverage AI to innovate in the evolving landscape. As AI continues to develop, it will be crucial to balance technological benefits with preserving the artistry and emotional connection that music provides.
Whether you're a musician, producer, or enthusiast, staying informed about AI's role in music will help you navigate and succeed in this growing field.