Where is AI in Music Nowadays?

Everyday artificial intelligence becomes more prominent in science, culture and arts, having a distinct impact in the music industry medium. Tools capable of cutting guitar lines or vocals, to prompt generated orchestras, to full on AI artists with AI songs, pictures and stories, it is becoming clearer that there is no shortage of AI slowing down. Applications like SUNO and UDIO despite being on lawsuits have financiers that help them advertise their tools in all the internet while also Spotify and Billboard legitimize AI artists and masks them in the middle of human music while also putting them in "Trending" playlists. Yet, public and academic discourse seems more divided and while some open their arms to these new instruments, others criticize or take to court, becoming a perhaps more contest debate then with the creation of Napster and online pirated music in your pocket.

Is the medium changing for the better or for the worst?

Beyond the immediate industry disruptions, AI music changes the way all of music could be fundamentally heard or even seen. From live concerts, to authorship, to artistic labor, to background shop music, to philosophical questions. If we can't tell music played by humans from computers, is it art? Is it a good thing? Are the tools that help creating taking away credit from musicians who study and practice for years?

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How do people react to this change?

The lack of empirical data, cultural perception and critical understanding of what is what in this age of AI, while also having a big ethical vacuum in societal and policy driven impact are also important problems that can be problematic to the understanding of the thesis if not well researched on.

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Do people know what the difference in these tools?

Current research on AI music can be divided into three different methodological pillars. Technical studies analyse algorithms and data using computational methods while ignoring cultural context. A quantitative mapping approaches a more ethnographical and culturally based insight while lacking scalability. Finaly, economical analyses examine market percentages and impact but ignores completely the context surrounding the medium and looking at it more as a commodity.

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Conclusion:

Despite all of this, it is impossible to say AI will not be integrated in all of society, wether scientifically or creatively, despite this, with the necessary legislation and opportunity cost, artificial intelligence can be used as an important tool to further help and enhance experiences in our daily life and that is the main focus we should strive for, not for more division.

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Note

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This insight is part of a curated initiative that opens our platform to creatives across the industry - both within and beyond the studio - who want to share their perspective. We value different viewpoints and believe they deserve space to be heard. Featuring a contribution does not imply that Bootic agrees with every opinion presented.

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