In 2024, Nigerian musician Eclipse Nkasi released Africa’s first-ever AI-powered music album titled Infinite Echoes. He has also created Mya Blue, an aptly blue-haired AI singer on Instagram who sings covers of popular African songs.
As with almost anything AI, Eclipse’s AI-powered music has been divisive. Some embrace it, and some scoff at it or disapprove of it.
But regardless of what side you’re on, it’s important to know how AI is changing the music landscape if you’re a musician. (Or perhaps you don’t have a side and are just curious about it.)
After all, for better or for worse, AI is here, and it’s changing things.
It’s even changing things like music and art—things we deem as uniquely human—despite AI being something we often see as robotic.
How is AI Changing the Music Industry?
Here are some of the most prominent ways AI is impacting the music industry today.
#1. Generating Music
Perhaps the most controversial way AI is being used in music is when it’s used to create the music itself.
Long gone are days when AI’s capabilities are limited to language learning and text-based output.
Just as AI can generate images through programs like Midjourney, it can now generate music through programs like OpenAI’s MuseNet and Google’s Magenta.
It doesn’t just create simple notes or melodies either.
It can create entire songs in a diverse array of genres. It can blend styles effortlessly, create entirely unique sounds, and even make songs that are tailor-fit for specific audiences.
The AI can even help with mixing or arranging it, suggesting arrangements or mixing styles based on the given melodies.
This changes the game for producers and artists.
AI tools, for example, can provide instrumental tracks, harmonies, or beats, allowing musicians to focus on things like lyrics or performances.
The automating power should also be incredibly useful for producers in the studio, allowing them to save hours.
This is particularly helpful for aspiring musicians who may lack resources.
#2. Royalty-Free Music
Some say that instead of helping artists, AI can actually make it harder for them. In some capacity, maybe it can even replace them.
After all, there are now several AI programs on the market that businesses can use to create royalty-free music for their products. Examples include:
- Hydra II;
- Mubert;
- Soundful;
- Beatoven.
With these tools, there’s no longer any need to hire composers or musicians. In fact, some filmmakers even use AI to create their movie soundtracks.
It can now analyze a scene (or many other similar scenes) and create background music that fits it.
However, AI music proponents say that this will likely only “replace” more forgettable kinds of music.
Things like short sound effects for a small business’ website or mobile app. When it comes to actual songs that people will want to listen to, they will still likely prefer music by real human beings.
Or so the argument goes.
#3. Customizing Listener Experiences
AI isn’t just changing how we create music. It’s affecting how we consume it as well. Platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music employ AI algorithms to curate playlists based on a user’s listening history.
The goal is to ensure that every listener’s journey feels personal and tailored.
But it can affect how we experience live music too. After all, live music is an integral part of the music industry.
Instead of static backing tracks, what if AI can automatically adjust a song’s tempo, heaviness, or even its very melody based on the audience’s actions?
Or what if it can shift the visual effects on stage on the fly based on the song or audience reaction?
Live performances will then become far more personalized and unique on each occasion.
For example, imagine a Christian worship concert where AI responds to the congregation’s emotions, adjusting visuals and music dynamically to elevate the spiritual atmosphere.
Such integration of AI into live settings can deepen connections, making each event more impactful and memorable.
#4. Education and Training in Music
AI is also now playing a role in teaching music. Again, this can be of massive help to aspiring musicians.
For example, tools like Yousician use AI to provide instant feedback on instrumental and vocal performances, helping learners improve quickly.
This arguably makes learning music far more accessible and democratized.
#5. Challenges AI Poses to the Music Industry
While the potential of AI is vast, it’s not without challenges.
- Ethical Questions About Ownership
AI’s generative and creative power is definitely remarkable.
But then that begs the question: can AI-powered art or music like Eclipse’s Infinite Echoes really be called Eclipse’s work?
Some might say no, that it was the AI that did the actual creating. Some would say yes because it still takes some form of artistry and creativity to get the AI to produce what you want.
And there are tons of other arguments for and against everything beyond and between.
It’s something we’ll have to grapple with.
- Accessibility vs. Misuse
While AI democratizes music creation, it also raises concerns about misuse. AI’s power also allows people effortlessly to imitate others, creating counterfeit tracks that dilute originality.
- The Risk of Homogenization
AI’s output is always based on an analysis of pre-existing material. Because of this, there’s a fear that AI could lead to overly formulaic music, favoring what’s algorithmically or historically popular over authentic artistic expression.
- Cybersecurity
And because AI needs pre-existing data to function, many people are concerned that the proliferation of AI will lead to more and more tech companies stealing their data.
After all, more and more people’s data will be needed to create more and more advanced AI. It’s one reason why so many people are now using VPN dedicated IP address that significantly reduces the risk of their privacy getting invaded.
Conclusion
AI is changing music for everyone involved, from big-time producers to independent artists, from critics to everyday listeners and casual music fans.
It can create music from near scratch. It can mix it. It can affect how we listen and experience it. What can’t it do? What will it be able to do in the future? It’s a simultaneously scary yet fascinating thought.
But the question remains—and perhaps always will: Is AI good or bad for music? Can it be good in some ways but bad in other ways? What do you think?
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