The Rise of AI in Music Production: A Seismic Shift in the Industry
The explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production is just the beginning of a major transformation in the industry, according to legendary Queen guitarist and scientist Brian May. He believes that AI has the potential to take inspiration from other artists and create something entirely new, which he finds both exciting and unsettling. May predicts that by 2023, it will be nearly impossible to distinguish between music created by humans and AI.
AI’s Impact on the Music Industry
May’s statements come as the music world grapples with the implications of AI-generated songs. One notable example is “Heart on My Sleeve,” a viral track created by an anonymous TikTok user called Ghostwriter. Using generative AI, this song convincingly emulated the vocal styles of Drake and The Weeknd, raising questions about its eligibility for prestigious awards like the Grammy.
During a podcast interview, May also touched on the recent writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood. He acknowledged concerns among writers that AI could be used to replicate their work but emphasized that creativity is often influenced by external sources.
The Controversy Surrounding AI
The use of published works to train AI models has sparked controversy, with some writers dubbing AI a “plagiarism machine.” This issue has even led to public disagreements within the AI community, such as when a Stability AI VP resigned from Stable Diffusion due to ethical concerns.
While May recognizes these fears, he argues that no creative process occurs in isolation. He believes that inspiration can come from various sources and questions where the boundaries lie between originality and influence.
The Future of AI in Music
Looking ahead, May envisions a future where AI not only creates music but also performs it. He predicts that AI will evoke emotions and even shed tears while listening to its own compositions, eventually rendering human musicians obsolete.
Despite ongoing debates, the Recording Academy has embraced AI-assisted music creation. The rules for the 2024 Grammy Awards now permit songs made with AI tools. However, the Recording Academy clarifies that songs predominantly or entirely generated by AI, like “Heart on My Sleeve,” remain ineligible for nominations.
Hot Take: Musicians and the AI Debate
As the music industry grapples with AI’s role in song creation, artists such as Disclosure and even The Beatles have experimented with this emerging technology. However, opinions on AI’s impact differ among musicians. While Brian May embraces its potential, fellow rocker Nick Cave has criticized artists who use AI to write lyrics, arguing that it erodes the essence of human creativity and connection.
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