We Need To Talk About AI Music

Andrew Southworth
26 Apr 202409:03

TLDRThe video discusses the potential impact of AI-generated music on the music industry. The host explores two AI music services that can create complete songs, including lyrics, instrumentals, and even artwork, based on a given prompt. The video highlights the ethical considerations surrounding AI music, such as the use of training data and the potential for AI to disrupt the livelihoods of human musicians. However, it also argues that AI music generation is creating genuinely new compositions and could provide opportunities for artists if they can adapt and incorporate these tools into their workflows. The host encourages viewers, especially independent artists, to understand and experiment with AI music technology to stay ahead in the industry.

Takeaways

  • 🎵 AI-generated music is already at a level where it can be perceived as better than some human-created music.
  • 🚀 The video demonstrates two AI music services that can create full songs, including lyrics, instrumentals, and artwork, based on a given prompt.
  • 🎶 AI can generate music in various styles, from mainstream pop to 1940s style and even metal, showcasing its versatility.
  • ⏱️ The AI services can create a minute-long track in about 30 seconds, with some services capable of up to 2 minutes.
  • 🤔 There are ethical concerns regarding the training data used by AI music services and whether they have the rights to the music they were trained on.
  • 💰 The debate around payment for rights is complex; AI is generating new music, not copying, which some argue should not require the same royalties as human-made music.
  • 🌐 The technology is impressive and has the potential to disrupt the music industry, but it also poses a threat to artists' livelihoods.
  • 🔄 There's a historical precedent with piracy; attempts to shut down illegal distribution typically lead to new platforms emerging.
  • 💡 A potential solution could involve services that compensate artists for use of their music in training data, with an opt-in or opt-out model for artists.
  • 📈 Artists, especially indies, should understand and leverage these tools to capitalize on new opportunities as the industry evolves.
  • 🤖 The role of the artist may evolve to become more of a 'filter', using AI tools in their creative process, similar to how they use other production tools.

Q & A

  • What is the general opinion of artists regarding AI created music?

    -Many artists believe that AI created music will never be as good as human created music.

  • What is the current state of AI in creating music?

    -AI has already reached a level where it can generate music that is good enough to pass as better than a lot of human-created music.

  • What are the two different services mentioned in the video for creating music?

    -The video does not specify the names of the two services, but it discusses their capabilities to create music based on given prompts.

  • What kind of music can these AI services generate?

    -The services can generate various styles of music, including mainstream pop, 1940s style songs, and even progressive metal.

  • How long do the songs generated by these services typically last?

    -The songs generated by these services usually last between 1 to 2 minutes, with some services capable of generating up to 3 minutes.

  • What ethical concerns are raised about AI music?

    -Concerns include the use of training data without permission or payment, and the potential impact on artists' livelihoods.

  • How might AI music services affect the music industry?

    -AI music services could potentially disrupt the industry, with the possibility of new services emerging that compensate artists for their data and allow them to opt in or out.

  • What is the role of the artist when using AI music tools?

    -Artists act as filters, making decisions on the modules to use, the settings to adjust, and the final output, similar to using other music production tools.

  • Why is it important for artists, especially indie artists, to understand AI music tools?

    -It's important for artists to understand and use these tools to capitalize on new opportunities, as major labels are likely exploring them for potential profit.

  • What is the potential economic model for artists with AI music services?

    -The economic model is yet to be determined, but it could involve artists opting into services where their music is used for training data and receiving compensation.

  • How does the video suggest artists should approach AI music technology?

    -The video encourages artists to play with and understand AI music tools, to be prepared for the changes that may come in the music industry.

  • What is the final message of the video regarding AI music?

    -The video presents a balanced view, acknowledging the impressive capabilities of AI music while also considering the ethical and practical implications for artists.

Outlines

00:00

🎼 AI and the Future of Music Creation

This paragraph discusses the capabilities of AI in creating music and the skepticism from artists regarding the quality of AI-generated music. The speaker plans to demonstrate two AI music services, highlighting their ability to create songs in various styles, including mainstream pop and 1940s style music. The paragraph also touches on the ethical considerations of AI music, such as the use of training data and potential copyright issues. The speaker emphasizes that while AI music may not be the best in the world, it is already good enough to surpass many human compositions and can generate complete songs, including lyrics, instrumentals, and even artwork, within seconds.

05:00

🚀 The Impact of AI on the Music Industry

The second paragraph delves into the potential impact of AI-generated music on the music industry. The speaker acknowledges the impressive technical aspects of AI music creation and its potential to disrupt the industry. There is a discussion about the challenges artists might face with AI services that could potentially bypass current laws and regulations. The paragraph also explores the idea of artists benefiting from AI services, suggesting a system where artists could opt in or out of having their music used for training AI models. The speaker concludes with a call to action for artists, especially independent ones, to understand and utilize AI tools to capitalize on new opportunities, while also considering the ethical implications of using AI in music creation.

Mindmap

Keywords

AI Music

AI Music refers to the creation of music using artificial intelligence. In the video, the host discusses the capabilities of AI in generating music that can rival human-created music. It's related to the video's theme as it forms the basis for the discussion on the potential and ethical considerations of AI in the music industry.

Ethics of AI Music

The Ethics of AI Music pertains to the moral and legal implications of using AI to create music. The video touches on concerns such as whether AI services have the rights to the music they use for training, and if artists should be compensated for their work used in AI models. This is central to the video's theme as it raises important questions about ownership and fair use in the context of AI-generated music.

Mainstream Pop Song

A Mainstream Pop Song is a genre of music that is typically characterized by its broad appeal and commercial success. In the script, the host uses this term to describe the type of song they want to create with AI, which is indicative of the versatility of AI in music creation.

1940s Style Song

A 1940s Style Song refers to music that emulates the style and characteristics of songs from the 1940s. The video script mentions this as one of the styles the AI can generate, showcasing the AI's ability to mimic historical music styles.

Lyrics

Lyrics are the words of a song, which are typically sung or recited in a musical context. The video script discusses how AI can generate lyrics, which is a significant aspect of music creation and a testament to AI's creative capabilities.

Instrumental

An Instrumental refers to a piece of music that is played without any vocals, typically consisting of one or more instruments. The script highlights that AI can create instrumentals, which is a key component of the music generation process.

Artwork

Artwork in the context of music often refers to the visual elements associated with a music release, such as album covers. The video mentions AI's ability to create artwork, indicating the comprehensive nature of AI's involvement in the music creation process.

Vocals

Vocals are the singing or other vocal parts in a song. The script notes that AI can generate vocals, which is a complex task that showcases the advanced capabilities of AI in music production.

Melodies

Melodies are a sequence of single notes that are musically satisfying. The video script discusses the creation of melodies by AI, which is a fundamental aspect of music composition and a key element in the discussion of AI's creative potential.

Progressive Metal

Progressive Metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is known for its complexity and incorporation of elements from progressive rock. The script mentions the AI's ability to generate music in this style, demonstrating its adaptability to various music genres.

Training Data

Training Data refers to the data used to train machine learning models. In the context of the video, it raises the question of whether AI services are using legally obtained music data to train their models, which is a critical ethical consideration.

Opt-in/Opt-out

Opt-in and Opt-out are terms used to describe the choice given to users or content creators to participate in or exclude themselves from a particular service or process. The video suggests a potential model where artists can choose to have their music included in AI training data, which would have implications for compensation and control over their work.

Highlights

AI created music is already good enough to pass as better than a lot of human-created music.

Two different AI music services will be explored to demonstrate their capabilities.

Ethics of AI music creation will be discussed, including the use of training data and artist compensation.

A song about the game Fallout 4 will be created using one of the platforms to showcase its potential.

The AI services can generate lyrics, instrumentals, and artwork in addition to the music itself.

AI-generated music is not a copy but a creation of genuinely new music based on what it has heard.

Artists may be able to opt in or out of AI music training data, potentially earning royalties.

The impact of AI on the music industry is both mind-blowing and terrifying, with significant changes expected in the next 5 years.

Indie artists are encouraged to understand and use AI music tools to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

AI music tools could be integrated into an artist's workflow, similar to using a compressor or EQ.

The debate over who owns the music when AI is used is similar to discussions in the modular synthesizer community.

Major labels are likely exploring AI music tools, either out of panic or to find ways to increase profits.

The video will demonstrate the creation of a song in the style of 1940s music and a progressive metal style.

AI music services can generate tracks up to 2 minutes in length, with some capable of 33 seconds.

The vocals and melodies generated by AI are of high quality, though not the best in the world.

AI music generation could lead to a service where artists are paid for their music used in training data.

The future of music with AI integration is uncertain, but it is an opportunity for artists to explore and adapt.