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The Intersection of AI and Music: The Future of Composition

In recent years, the music industry has been significantly impacted by artificial intelligence, with the ability to compose and produce music that rivals the music of human musicians. This technology has the potential to transform the way we create and consume music, but it also raises concerns about the role of human creativity in the process.


the AI creation of musician Ash Koosha: “Yona” performing at the 2019 MUTEK festival

Furthermore, there are concerns about AI-generated music's impact on the music industry. Some argue that AI has the potential to replace human musicians and composers, resulting in job losses and a decline in music quality. Others, on the other hand, argue that AI could open up new opportunities for musicians, such as the creation of new sounds and genres that humans would be unable to create.


One of the most notable examples of AI in music composition is Amper Music, which has created an AI-powered platform that allows users to create custom music tracks by choosing from a variety of genres, instruments, and moods. Based on the user's preferences, the AI then creates a unique composition. Many businesses and organizations, including Cisco, Adobe, and NASA, have used Amper to create custom music for their projects.


Similarly, Jukedeck has grown in popularity as a company that uses artificial intelligence to compose and produce music tracks to be used in videos, advertisements, and other forms of media. Jukedeck's AI system can analyze a scene or video and generate music that complements the visuals and mood. This technology has been used by many companies, including Google, to create music for their videos and advertisements.


While these examples demonstrate AI's potential in music composition, it is important to remember that this technology is still in its early stages. These AI-generated compositions are not on the same level as those created by human musicians, according to many critics, and the music lacks the emotional depth and variety that human musicians can create.


Some musicians, on the other hand, have embraced AI as a tool to aid in their creative process. Imogen Heap, for example, has been experimenting with AI-powered music production, employing "Mi.mu gloves," an AI system that controls the sounds and effects in her live performances. She believes that artificial intelligence has the potential to broaden musical possibilities and allow musicians to create unique sounds.


Another example is The Chemical Brothers' collaboration with AI artist AIVA. The band used AIVA's AI system to generate an original melody for one of their songs, resulting in a one-of-a-kind composition that combined the band's signature sound with the AI's ability to generate original melodies.


Despite artificial intelligence's potential in music composition, some musicians and critics argue that it should not be used to replace human musicians. Human musicians, they argue, bring a level of emotion, creativity, and depth that AI cannot match. They also contend that using AI in music composition may lead to music homogenization, with all songs sounding the same.


To summarize, AI has the potential to transform the way we create music but it is critical to consider the implications for the music industry. While AI-generated music may lack the emotional impact of human-created music, it has the potential to expand human compositional abilities. As we continue to investigate the possibilities of AI in the arts, it is critical to strike a balance between technological capabilities and the role of human creativity.


Works Cited

Southern, Taryn. "How AI is changing the way we make music." The Verge, 31 Aug. 2018, https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/31/17777008/artificial-intelligence-taryn-southern-amper-music

ByteDance Develops AI to Write Music and Lyrics." Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 14 June 2019, www.reuters.com/article/us-china-bytedance-idUSKCN1UJ0NN .

Imogen Heap's Magical Music Gloves Make for Handmade Beats." CNET, 11 Dec. 2018, www.cnet.com/culture/imogen-heaps-magical-music-gloves-make-for-handmade-beats/ .

The Chemical Brothers. "The Chemical Brothers Release Video for 'Free Yourself' Directed by Dom & Nic." The Chemical Brothers, 2 Mar. 2018, https://www.thechemicalbrothers.com/news/the-chemical-brothers-release-video-for-free-yourself-directed-by-dom-nic .

A New AI Can Write Music as Well as a Human Composer." Futurism, futurism.com/a-new-ai-can-write-music-as-well-as-a-human-composer.

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