Music analysis: Is artificial intelligence taking over the music industry too?

We have all noticed the uprising of artificial intelligence use across many aspects of life, but now we are beginning to see its use within the music industry.

Many have conflicting views about the use of AI in the world of music production.

Here, Music News Blitz writer Evie Scroggie gets stuck into the debate.

Song creation

Artificial intelligence tools, such as ElevenLabs and Suno, can generate entire songs, from background sounds all the way to leading vocals, simply from being given a few written prompts.

Technically, this means AI could write a hit song in its entirety, but it will be lacking in something extremely valued in the music industry; human emotion.

Technology experts at TechRadar have said it themselves: “AI can write a hit song, but it can’t lift your soul or break your heart.”

Aiding? Or replacing?

Though there are some AI tools that can generate entire songs, others in the music industry are using AI to aid their song creation process, rather than completely replace it.

Such help includes pitch correction, the clean-up of unwanted background noise, mixing tracks and much more.

The assistance of artificial intelligence in this case can be seen as a tool to speed up the process of polishing music and getting it to the point where it's able to be released to the public much quicker than we are used to.

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The Velvet Sundown had us all fooled

The songs of a band called ‘The Velvet Sundown’ have had millions of streams on Spotify since starting to be released just weeks ago.

The band's page is a verified account on Spotify, with hundreds of thousands of listeners monthly.

But do you think it's odd how none of the four band members have ever appeared on social media? Or interviews? Or have been photographed by paparazzi on the street? 

That’s because they simply do not exist. They are an artificial intelligence creation, and they are masquerading as a music band.

This begs the question - is AI trying to take over music? Or is it simply trying to mess with us?

The thoughts of musicians

Music artists such as Dua Lipa and Elton John are openly against the use of AI, advocating for laws to stop artificial intelligence from ‘stealing’ music by updating copyright laws in a way that protects them.

A government spokesperson responded to this, saying “we want our creative industries and AI companies to flourish, which is why we’re consulting on a package of measures that we hope will work for both sectors”.

However, Björn Ulvaeus from the Swedish music group ABBA believes AI acts as another songwriter in the room, rather than a tool to replace those already there.

With the correct policies in place to protect creators, Ulvaeus believes the use of artificial intelligence within the industry could revolutionise music. 

He states “our mission is not to stop AI, but to effectively monetise it.”

So, with the inevitable rise of artificial intelligence across all sectors, entertainment included, it leaves us questioning whether AI is trying to take over the creative industries, or whether it's acting as a helpful sidekick alongside those already in the business.

Get in touch and let us know what you think…

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