The Future of Music: AI or Organic?
As a seasoned organic musician with over three decades of experience in the industry, I am well aware of the evolution of music technology. My journey began 36 years ago with the creation of a virtual chamber music partner. My goal was to create a program that would listen, adapt, and learn from a real human partner, enhancing the collaborative experience. However, the project ended in failure, as the technology at the time fell short of my vision.
The Rise of AI in Music
Despite my failure, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in music has seen immense progress. Instead of creating a partner to aid musicians, companies like Google have developed what I call a "musical terminator" - an AI that generates music and poses a potential threat to organic performances. These current AIs, while not yet fully mature, can already produce text, images, and even music based on user prompts.
While these AIs might sound impressive, they are still in their infancy. Online training alone often results in outputs that are filled with errors, unreliable answers, or music that sounds like it was created by a toddler using a digital audio workstation. Even decades from now, the generated music will likely remain underdeveloped, with many flaws that are evident to the trained ear.
Progress and Potential
However, it would be unwise to dismiss the potential of AI in the music industry. Recently, I have heard some decent AI-generated songs, though not from Google Music LM. These songs likely represent the top 1% of what the AI can produce out of thousands of tracks. The quality and accuracy of these AIs are improving, and if we continue to nurture their development, they could reach a point where it might be difficult to distinguish their creations from those of organic musicians.
The challenge lies in educating and guiding AI to achieve a level of mastery that surpasses the current state of technology. Just as educating real children is an evolving science, the same must be true for virtual children, or AI musicians. Protective measures and proper oversight are necessary to ensure that AI musicians remain aligned with the values of their creators.
Assessing the Threat to Organic Music
Will AI eventually replace organic musicians, rendering human performance obsolete? The answer, at least for now, is no. While AI can generate proficient music, it is unlikely to replace the joy, passion, and authentic human emotions that come with creating and performing music. Many of us will continue to write and perform simply because we love it. Organic music is a form of art that goes beyond mere technical skill and touches the human soul.
In addition, organic music retains a certain charm that AI-generated music cannot fully replicate. Fans often appreciate the imperfections and vulnerabilities of their idols, which make them seem more relatable and human. An AI, even if it were to achieve perfection, would lack the inherent flaws that make human musicians interesting and relatable.
The Future of AI in Music
As AI continues to evolve, we must guide its development to ensure it complements rather than replaces organic musicians. While fears about AI taking over the industry are understandable, we should also consider the positive aspects of AI in music. It can assist in composition, arrangement, and even performance, providing new tools for musicians to express themselves.
Ultimately, the future of music is a mix of organic and AI-driven elements. As long as we maintain control and align the goals of AI development with our values, AI can be a powerful tool to enhance, rather than replace, the organic human experience in music.
We live in an exciting time, where the blending of human creativity and technological assistance opens up new possibilities. Whether it's creating the next masterpiece or simply providing tools to enhance the creative process, AI music generation has the potential to enhance the music industry, not eliminate it.