As AI is progressively getting more and more popular, it is making its way to industries all over the globe, with over 65% of companies using it due to it’s efficiency and productivity. Whilst this may be particularly useful for sectors such as financing and those with more statistical usage, many underestimate its power for creativity and potential in helping to produce music by composing, creating new genres and even refining songs to help artists.

 

Currently, AI tools have been developed to easily aid musicians in producing music of all sorts by analysing millions of songs and using it’s knowledge to create new genres all together, therefore encouraging music to continue to develop to appeal to a larger audience. For example, Sony's Flow machines produced an AI-generated album called "Hello World" which combined jazz, pop and classical genres, showing it's creative and unique abilities. While this may appeal to many listeners, it is important to note the issues in copyright or "music laundering". This was most apparent in the song "Heart on My Sleeve", which used AI to replicate the voices of Drake, The Weeknd, Future and 21 Savage and became extremely popular on platforms such as Tiktok before getting removed due to copyright infringement. This case raised many questions concerning the issues in AI, and the implications of what it could turn out to be in the future.

 

It can also create all levels of music, from various beats to complex multi-instrumental songs. Whilst some may use this handy tool to create songs entirely with it, many will take advantage of its extremely creative features by giving inspiration or adding touches of uniqueness. One of the most notable companies include Orb Producer Suite, which is particularly popular with beginners getting into composition, with it only suggesting certain ideas that can then be used in full songs to ensure creativity. This ensures that composers will never run out of ideas, while maintaining some originality and personal feelings. Some say that AI will never be able to replicate human emotions and convey this in music, but many platforms such as AIVA have already acknowledged this and are now able to offer songs with complex emotions and moods. However, there are arguments on how well that AI can imitate this, as it simply cannot experience any feelings and emotions, or rely on searching algorithms and patterns of previous music. It is particularly lacking the “soul” of music created by humans, according to critics such as Steve Pasero which is what the vast majority of people are drawn to- the emotional and relatable side of music.

 

Creating music is not the only thing that AI can do. The reviewing process for songs done by editors and producers requires both skill and time, as well as high costs to hire them. With new AI technology, it is now accessible for anyone to review their work with artificial intelligence services, such as LANDR. As this technology continues to develop, it will only become more powerful, and promises many more artists to showcase their work without any need for equipment or expensive costs in production, opening many doors for everyone due to it's accessibility.

 

Thousands of artists have claimed in interviews and talks that one of the biggest struggles in creating music was the fact that they simply do not have enough time due to work or other commitments, such as Grammy-recognised music artist Cliff Goldmacher, where he wrote in the Weekly, "I would then wrestle with my song for a period of weeks and months", and that knowing how to get inspiration was one of the things which helped him the most. For many, this source of inspiration has the potential to be using AI due to its practicality and efficiency, which is why it is so significant in many industries.

 

While the debate of using AI in the production could continue for decades due to its many ominous implications, I think that when it is used ethically such as a source of inspiration, this powerful technology can change the course of music and bring the listening experience of music to a new level.