How A.I. Has Changed Music, and What’s Coming Next
Digest
This episode of the New York Times Popcast delves into the evolving landscape of AI in music, specifically examining the recent release of a Randy Travis song created using AI technology. The episode features conversations with Rachel Metz, a Bloomberg reporter covering AI, and Kristen Robinson, a music industry expert. They discuss the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI to recreate artists' voices, particularly when the artist is unable to consent, as in the case of Randy Travis. The episode also explores the broader implications of AI in music, including its potential to disrupt the industry, the role of record labels, and the legal challenges surrounding copyright and ownership. The episode highlights the rapid advancements in AI technology, particularly in voice generation, and the growing debate about the future of music creation and consumption. The episode also touches on the use of AI in other aspects of the music industry, such as royalty collection and playlist generation. The episode concludes with a discussion of the potential for AI to be used in a more positive way, such as creating demos for artists or streamlining music promotion.
Outlines
Craft Matters
This Chapter discusses the importance of craft in various aspects of life, from coffee making to table building, and how UBS elevates investing to a craft.
AI in Music: The New Frontier
This Chapter introduces the topic of AI in music and the episode's focus on contemporary uses of artificial intelligence. It features a discussion about the use of AI to create a new Randy Travis song, raising questions about consent and the future of music creation.
The Evolution of AI Music
This Chapter delves into the history of AI music, tracing its development from early research projects to the current state-of-the-art technology. It discusses the rise of generative models, AI-generated voices, and the impact of companies like Suno and UDO.
Under the Hood: AI Music Technology
This Chapter explores the inner workings of AI music platforms like Suno and UDO, discussing their training data, the potential use of copyrighted works, and the ethical implications of their technology. It also examines the relationship between these platforms and the music industry, including potential partnerships and lawsuits.
The Legal Landscape of AI Music
This Chapter focuses on the legal implications of AI in music, discussing the Elvis Act in Tennessee, which aims to protect musicians' rights from unauthorized AI impersonations. It also explores the broader legal challenges surrounding generative AI, including the use of training data and the regulation of AI outputs.
The Future of AI in Music
This Chapter discusses the potential for both positive and negative uses of AI in music, exploring its applications in song selection, playlist generation, and music promotion. It also examines the ethical considerations surrounding AI and the importance of transparency and accountability.
Keywords
AI in Music
The use of artificial intelligence in the creation, production, and distribution of music. This includes technologies like AI-generated music, voice cloning, and AI-powered music recommendation systems.
Suno
A music AI platform that allows users to generate music and lyrics using AI technology. Suno is known for its ability to create music in various genres and styles, including pop, hip-hop, and electronic music.
UDO
Another music AI platform that offers similar capabilities to Suno, allowing users to generate music and lyrics using AI. UDO is known for its focus on song structure and its ability to create music in a variety of styles.
Randy Travis
A renowned American country music singer known for his powerful vocals and traditional country sound. Travis suffered a stroke in 2013, which significantly impacted his ability to sing. A new song was recently released using AI technology to recreate his voice.
Ghostwriter
A music AI project that gained notoriety for creating a fake Drake song that went viral. This incident sparked a debate about the ethical implications of AI-generated music and the potential for misuse.
Drake
A Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his chart-topping hits and influence on contemporary music. Drake has been involved in controversies surrounding the use of AI in music, including the unauthorized use of Tupac and Snoop Dogg's voices.
Grimes
A Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer known for her experimental music and artistic vision. Grimes has been a vocal advocate for the use of AI in music and has even released her own AI voice model.
Elvis Act
A law passed in Tennessee that aims to protect musicians' rights from unauthorized AI impersonations. The law is named after Elvis Presley, a legendary musician who is considered a cultural icon in the state.
Fairly Trained
A non-profit organization founded by Ed Newton Rex, a former VP of audio at Stability AI. The organization focuses on promoting ethical and transparent practices in the training of AI models, particularly in the music industry.
Music Industry
The global business encompassing the creation, production, distribution, and consumption of music. The music industry is undergoing significant changes due to the rise of streaming services, digital distribution, and AI technology.
Q&A
What are the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI to recreate artists' voices?
The primary concern is consent. When an artist is unable to consent, as in the case of Randy Travis, it raises questions about whether it is ethical to use their voice without their permission. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential for misuse of AI-generated voices, such as creating fake recordings or impersonating artists for malicious purposes.
How is the music industry responding to the rise of AI in music?
The music industry is taking a cautious approach, with some companies exploring partnerships with AI music platforms while others are more hesitant. There is a growing debate about the potential for AI to disrupt the industry, and the legal challenges surrounding copyright and ownership are still being addressed.
What are some of the potential benefits of AI in music?
AI can be used to enhance music creation, such as generating new melodies, harmonies, or rhythms. It can also be used to improve music production, such as automating tasks or creating custom sound effects. Additionally, AI can be used to personalize music experiences, such as creating custom playlists or recommending new artists.
What are the legal challenges surrounding AI in music?
The use of copyrighted works in training AI models raises legal questions about fair use and copyright infringement. Additionally, the creation of AI-generated music that closely resembles existing works raises concerns about copyright ownership and the potential for unauthorized use.
What is the future of AI in music?
The future of AI in music is uncertain, but it is likely to play an increasingly significant role in the industry. AI technology is rapidly advancing, and its applications in music are constantly evolving. It is important to consider the ethical and legal implications of AI in music and to ensure that its use is responsible and beneficial for both artists and consumers.
What are some of the differences between Suno and UDO?
Suno and UDO are both AI music platforms, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Suno is known for its intuitive interface and its ability to generate music in a variety of styles. UDO is known for its focus on song structure and its ability to create music in a more complex and nuanced way. Suno uses ChatGPT for lyric generation, while UDO uses its own proprietary technology.
What are some of the ways AI is being used in the music industry beyond music creation?
AI is being used in a variety of ways in the music industry, including royalty collection and processing, playlist generation, and music promotion. AI can help to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and personalize music experiences.
What are some of the potential risks of AI in music?
The potential risks of AI in music include the misuse of AI-generated voices, the infringement of copyright, and the displacement of human musicians. It is important to consider these risks and to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically.
What are some of the things listeners can do to be more informed about AI in music?
Listeners can stay informed about AI in music by reading articles and listening to podcasts that discuss the topic. They can also experiment with AI music platforms like Suno and UDO to see how the technology works. It is important to be critical of AI-generated music and to consider the ethical and legal implications of its use.
What are some of the potential future applications of AI in music?
AI has the potential to revolutionize the music industry in a variety of ways. It could be used to create personalized music experiences, to automate music production, and to create new forms of music that are not possible with traditional methods. The future of AI in music is exciting and full of possibilities.
Show Notes
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