Current developments in artificial intelligence have changed a lot about the ways in which we function within society. From education to science, and technology it appears on the surface that there is genuinely nothing AI can’t do! However, in recent years AI has also made headlines in the music industry. With its ability to mimic the cadence and lyrics of legendary artists, like Madonna, new music is being created in almost an instant. But how does this impact the way in which we consume media? In this article we will discuss the impact AI has on the music industry and how it can be both helpful and harmful to the way in which society consumes online media.
Artificial intelligence is surprisingly not as scary as it sounds! AI is a form of computer science that utilizes a series of algorithms and computational data in order to allow computers to perform human-like tasks. What makes AI so unique is the fact that it processes new information, and learns based on previous mistakes, in order to create the best or most accurate answer to a question or task given to it by the user. While many people believe that AI could be capable of replacing humans in certain creative fields, it is important to note that even while AI learns from past mistakes it is still not always 100% accurate or capable of completing every task well.
But how has AI made a splash in the music industry? Well even mainstream websites, such as Canva, now have features such as “free ai music generator” that allow for users to instantly create a song with lyrics based off of a topic of their choosing over a copyright free beat. However, AI has also caused a new revival of music legends. From artists that are deceased AI could generate new music with new lyrics based off of previous songs that they have created.
In 2021, the non-profit Over The Bridge used AI to generate an album based off of the voices of artists who unfortunately joined the 27 club. Not only did this allow for a rise in mental health awareness for musicians, but it also showed the public that their musical talents and legacy is capable of living on far beyond their life.
However, this has caused some trouble when it comes to the concept of copyright and ownership. This is largely due to the fact that anything that is not made by humans can not typically be copyrighted.
Just like the creation of “normal” songs, AI music contains a series of elements that allows it to feel more human-like.
These elements include the analyzation of:
When it comes to musical legends, like Madonna, most people recognize her music based on its unique 80’s pop sound. As her music style has changed over the years, AI generation can create new hit songs that are reminiscent of her older style of music making you feel as if you are traveling back in time!
While all this information is great for consumers, AI generated music has caused some artists complication within the industry. Since artificial intelligence is a relatively new concept to navigate, it does make it difficult for music companies to figure out the best way to navigate through this time.
While fans do enjoy getting new music from artists that are no longer with us, some people view AI generated music as an invasion of privacy and potentially harmful to their legacy. Simultaneously, some people view this as morally wrong because of the fact that the artists themselves don’t have creative control over what is being put out under their name, which could negatively affect their reputation or dilute their uniqueness and creativity.
As previously mentioned, any form of content that is generated by artificial intelligence runs into issues when it comes to the idea of who actually owns its content. If new music is released under the name of a deceased artist it is typically partially “owned” by both the family members of the deceased and the record company. Many people feel as if there should be a way to protect deceased artists from having their voices intertwined with AI, however, legally deceased individuals are not technically able to feel emotions such as embarrassment which makes the claim that AI music is harmful towards their reputation ultimately futile.
Many people also believe that AI itself can be harmful to creative atmospheres in general. Even no-musical artists argue that AI dilutes the sense of creativity and individualism that makes art so special and unique towards its creator. Simultaneously, many believe that AI causes an emotional disconnection with the audience and could never actually replace the “human touch” that is considered vital to the creation of art and music. While some music composers use AI to assist in their creation of music, and do not solely rely on it, it is worth noting that AI could have a negative impact on the job market for composers, musicians, as well as producers.
Much like anything in life, there is always a bright side! AI is not only solely used in the music industry when it comes to the composition of music. It can also be utilized when it comes to the use of promotional campaigns to help promote an artist’s work and connect them even further towards their audience. AI algorithms allow for artists to connect with new listeners, based on their previous music listening, in order to expand their audience and introduce them to their music. As a result of this, both the artists and the listener benefit from this exchange.
On a similar note, the use of holograms and AI go hand in hand. For instance after Michael Jackson’s unfortunate death, AI was paired with hologram technology to allow for him to go on a final tour and say farewell to his fans. While people debate if this is ethically right, it is safe to say that the individuals who attended found it not only breathtaking but a visualization of just how complex technology has become. Not only does this allow for artists to continue to live on after their death, but it also allows for their listeners to continue to support their craft and amazing talents in a way that was previously never seen before.
It is difficult to say for certain if AI is helpful or harmful to the music industry. As we can see the situation is one that is extremely complex and hard to fully form an opinion on at times. However, as we continue to enter a new digital world there is a high chance that we won't be saying goodbye to AI anytime soon, so why not embrace everything that it has to offer! And your music journey does not have to end here, there are other great aspects to the music industry that are fascinating to learn more about and explore. So whether you are interested in getting into the industry or are simply curious to read more continue to search on our blog!
