Machine-made medleys: Is AI striking a discordant note in the music industry?
From A.R. Rahman's concerns about the posthumous use of artists' voices, to Billie Eilish and Nicki Minaj's advocacy for over 200 artists, the conversation around AI in music production is reaching a fever pitch.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the music industry is gaining momentum, evoking a mix of anticipation and apprehension among artists and creators alike.
Earlier this year, A.R. Rahman made headlines by resurrecting a late legend's voice through AI, igniting discourse about ethical approaches in the process. Rahman stated, "We took permission from their families and sent deserving remuneration for using their voice algorithms. Technology is not a threat and a nuisance if we use it right.”
However, while AI promises groundbreaking possibilities, it also raises profound ethical concerns.
In April this year, over 200 prominent music artists, including Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, and Billie Eilish, jointly voiced concerns through an open letter addressing the “predatory use of AI” within the music industry.
The letter acknowledged AI’s “enormous potential to advance human creativity” but cautions against its misuse by powerful entities. These entities could potentially exploit original works to train AI models, ultimately replacing human musicians.
The collective voices of these artists underscore the need to safeguard against AI’s potential to appropriate professional artists’ voices and likenesses, violate creators’ rights, and disrupt the music ecosystem.
The ongoing debate surrounding AI in music highlights a delicate balance between embracing technological advancements and protecting the rights and livelihoods of human artists.
As Rahman aptly put it, the crux lies in utilising technology ethically and conscientiously.
This predatory use of AI to steal artists' voices and likenesses raises ethical questions about the future of music creation.
Can AI match human emotional intelligence?
Tech giants like YouTube are already testing the waters of AI music-making tools, blurring the lines between human and machine-generated music.
While AI algorithms are adept at mimicking existing musical styles and generating variations on established themes, a crucial question remains: can AI truly capture the raw emotion and human connection that lies at the heart of great music?
Vijay Subramaniam, Founder and Group CEO of Bengaluru-based Collective Artists Network, does not believe so. "Any creative art requires an emotion. (Music) only comes from being extremely invested from an emotional point of view," he says.
While AI might excel at tasks like generating song structures and writing lyrics, Subramaniam emphasises that creating melodies that resonate with the soul remains a uniquely human ability.
However, he acknowledges the potential of AI as a powerful tool for music producers. Subramaniam highlights areas like beat production, generating lyrical ideas, and streamlining post-production tasks as potential strongholds for AI assistance.
"No AI concert can deliver emotions the way a live concert could do," he says, emphasising that AI should be seen as a way to enhance the creative process, not replace it.
The future of music production is likely to see a collaborative spectrum between humans and AI—a world where AI acts as a powerful assistant, generating a vast array of unique beat options that perfectly capture an artist's desired mood or genre.
The artist can then become the curator—choosing, refining, and building upon these AI-generated foundations, injecting their creative spark and emotional depth.
Similarly, AI-powered lyric generation tools can become a springboard for songwriters, suggesting rhyming schemes, thematic variations, or even complete verses based on chosen keywords.
Malayalam rapper and songwriter ThirumaLi shares a similar perspective on the role of AI in music. "AI is reducing the workload, moving from traditional ways to more digitised methods. Although AI helps in providing a basic structure for lyrics, producing words that resonate with the audience comes only from emotions and experiences in one's life," he says.
A collaborative effort
Amidst the concerns, platforms like MADverse Music are emerging, aiming to create a harmonious collaboration between artists and AI. Founder and CEO Rohan Nesho Jain sees AI as a compliment to their platform.
“We utilise AI for marketing and talent scouting, while also studying data to gain insights into listener preferences,” says Jain. This allows MADverse Music to connect artists with their target audience, and optimise their creative efforts.
The rise of AI in music production is not a cause for alarm, but rather a new chapter in music's ever-evolving story. “Just as the invention of synthesisers and digital audio workstations (DAWs) revolutionised music creation, AI holds the potential to empower artists and producers in unimaginable ways,” he adds.
Agnivesh, a Kerala-based music producer, songwriter, and DJ, emphasises that "AI can provide the basics, but no one wants ordinary right now. Only a human can bring in what the ordinary is not. To integrate and orchestrate the whole process of music production, AI could be a helping hand."
He also acknowledges concerns about singers, noting that AI is proficient at mimicking voices.
However, Agnivesh sees AI as a tool that, when coupled with human creativity, can breathe life into musical ideas.
The future soundscape will likely be a blend of human ingenuity and algorithmic assistance. While AI can be a powerful tool, it's crucial to recognise that the essence of music—melodies that stir emotions—emanates from the human spirit.
The rise of AI-generated music on social media highlights the importance of protecting artists' rights and maintaining authentic human artistry in a digital world. Although its ability to replicate voices and styles threatens the authenticity and livelihood of singers, it cannot replace true creativity.
AI has significant potential as a collaborative tool. By aiding musicians with composition, production, and personalised practice routines, AI can allow artists to concentrate more on their creativity and innovate. '
Ensuring a balanced approach where AI supports rather than replaces human talent will be crucial in navigating the future of music.
Edited by Jyoti Narayan