2 Sources
[1]
AI bands signal new era for music business
A rising tide of artificial intelligence (AI) bands is ushering in a new era where work will be scarcer for musicians. Whether it's Velvet Sundown's 1970s-style rock or country music projects "Aventhis" and "The Devil Inside," bands whose members are pure AI creations are seeing more than a million plays on streaming giant Spotify. No major streaming service clearly labels tracks that come entirely from AI, except France's Deezer. Meanwhile, the producers of these songs tend to be unreachable. "I feel like we're at a place where nobody is really talking about it, but we are feeling it," said music producer, composer and performer Leo Sidran. "There is going to be a lot of music released that we can't really tell who made it or how it was made." The Oscar-winning artist sees the rise of AI music as perhaps a sign of how "generic and formulaic" genres have become. AI highlights the chasm between music people listen to "passively" while doing other things and "active" listening in which fans care about what artists convey, said producer and composer Yung Spielburg on the Imagine AI Live podcast. Spielburg believes musicians will win out over AI with "active" listeners but will be under pressure when it comes to tunes people play in the background while cooking dinner or performing mundane tasks. If listeners can't discern which tunes are AI-made, publishers and labels will likely opt for synthetic bands that don't earn royalties, Spielburg predicted. "AI is already in the music business and it's not going away because it is cheap and convenient," said Mathieu Gendreau, associate professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, who is also a music industry executive. "That will make it even more difficult for musicians to make a living." Music streaming platforms already fill playlists with mood music attributed to artists about whom no information can be found, according to University of Rochester School of Music professor Dennis DeSantis. Meanwhile, AI-generated soundtracks have become tempting, cost-saving options in movies, television shows, ads, shops, elevators and other venues, DeSantis added. AI takes all? Composer Sidran says he and his music industry peers have seen a sharp slowdown in work coming their way since late last year. "I suspect that AI is a big part of the reason," said Sidran, host of "The Third Story" podcast. "I get the feeling that a lot of the clients that would come to me for original music, or even music from a library of our work, are using AI to solve those problems." Technology has repeatedly helped shape the music industry, from electric guitars and synthesizers to multi-track recording and voice modulators. Unlike such technologies that gave artists new tools and techniques, AI could lead to the "eradication of the chance of sustainability for the vast majority of artists," warned George Howard, a professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. "AI is a far different challenge than any other historical technological innovation," Howard said. "And one that will likely be zero-sum." Howard hopes courts will side with artists in the numerous legal battles with generative AI giants whose models imitate their styles or works. Gendreau sees AI music as being here to stay and teaches students to be entrepreneurs as well as artists in order to survive in the business. Sidran advises musicians to highlight what makes them unique, avoiding the expected in their works because "AI will have done it." And, at least for now, musicians should capitalize on live shows where AI bands have yet to take the stage.
[2]
AI bands signal new era for music business
New York (AFP) - A rising tide of artificial intelligence (AI) bands is ushering in a new era where work will be scarcer for musicians. Whether it's Velvet Sundown's 1970s-style rock or country music projects "Aventhis" and "The Devil Inside," bands whose members are pure AI creations are seeing more than a million plays on streaming giant Spotify. No major streaming service clearly labels tracks that come entirely from AI, except France's Deezer. Meanwhile, the producers of these songs tend to be unreachable. "I feel like we're at a place where nobody is really talking about it, but we are feeling it," said music producer, composer and performer Leo Sidran. "There is going to be a lot of music released that we can't really tell who made it or how it was made." The Oscar-winning artist sees the rise of AI music as perhaps a sign of how "generic and formulaic" genres have become. AI highlights the chasm between music people listen to "passively" while doing other things and "active" listening in which fans care about what artists convey, said producer and composer Yung Spielburg on the Imagine AI Live podcast. Spielburg believes musicians will win out over AI with "active" listeners but will be under pressure when it comes to tunes people play in the background while cooking dinner or performing mundane tasks. If listeners can't discern which tunes are AI-made, publishers and labels will likely opt for synthetic bands that don't earn royalties, Spielburg predicted. "AI is already in the music business and it's not going away because it is cheap and convenient," said Mathieu Gendreau, associate professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, who is also a music industry executive. "That will make it even more difficult for musicians to make a living." Music streaming platforms already fill playlists with mood music attributed to artists about whom no information can be found, according to University of Rochester School of Music professor Dennis DeSantis. Meanwhile, AI-generated soundtracks have become tempting, cost-saving options in movies, television shows, ads, shops, elevators and other venues, DeSantis added. AI takes all? Composer Sidran says he and his music industry peers have seen a sharp slowdown in work coming their way since late last year. "I suspect that AI is a big part of the reason," said Sidran, host of "The Third Story" podcast. "I get the feeling that a lot of the clients that would come to me for original music, or even music from a library of our work, are using AI to solve those problems." Technology has repeatedly helped shape the music industry, from electric guitars and synthesizers to multi-track recording and voice modulators. Unlike such technologies that gave artists new tools and techniques, AI could lead to the "eradication of the chance of sustainability for the vast majority of artists," warned George Howard, a professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. "AI is a far different challenge than any other historical technological innovation," Howard said. "And one that will likely be zero-sum." Howard hopes courts will side with artists in the numerous legal battles with generative AI giants whose models imitate their styles or works. Gendreau sees AI music as being here to stay and teaches students to be entrepreneurs as well as artists in order to survive in the business. Sidran advises musicians to highlight what makes them unique, avoiding the expected in their works because "AI will have done it." And, at least for now, musicians should capitalize on live shows where AI bands have yet to take the stage.
Share
Copy Link
The rise of AI-generated music is transforming the music industry, posing challenges for human musicians while creating new opportunities and debates about the future of creativity and authenticity in music.
The music industry is witnessing a significant shift with the emergence of AI-generated bands. These artificial entities, such as Velvet Sundown and country music projects like "Aventhis" and "The Devil Inside," are gaining substantial traction on streaming platforms, with some accumulating over a million plays on Spotify 12. This trend is raising concerns about the future of human musicians and the overall landscape of the music business.
One of the primary challenges posed by AI-generated music is the difficulty in identifying its origin. Most major streaming services, with the exception of France's Deezer, do not clearly label tracks that are entirely AI-generated 12. This lack of transparency has led to a situation where listeners and industry professionals alike are often unable to discern whether a piece of music is created by humans or AI.
Leo Sidran, a music producer, composer, and performer, expresses concern about this ambiguity: "There is going to be a lot of music released that we can't really tell who made it or how it was made" 1. This uncertainty extends to the creators themselves, as the producers of AI-generated songs are often unreachable, further blurring the lines between human and artificial creativity.
The rise of AI in music production is already having tangible effects on the industry. Mathieu Gendreau, an associate professor at Rowan University and music industry executive, notes that "AI is already in the music business and it's not going away because it is cheap and convenient" 1. This cost-effectiveness is making it increasingly difficult for human musicians to compete and make a living.
The impact is particularly noticeable in certain sectors of the industry. AI-generated soundtracks have become attractive, cost-saving options for movies, television shows, advertisements, and background music in various venues 1. This trend is likely to continue, potentially reducing opportunities for human composers in these areas.
Producer and composer Yung Spielburg highlights a crucial distinction in how AI might affect different types of music consumption. He argues that there's a growing chasm between "passive" listening (background music for everyday activities) and "active" listening (where fans engage deeply with the artist's message) 1. While AI might dominate in the realm of passive listening, human musicians may still have an edge when it comes to creating music that demands active engagement.
The economic implications of this shift are significant. Composer Leo Sidran reports a sharp slowdown in work for him and his peers since late 2023, attributing this decline largely to the rise of AI 1. If listeners cannot distinguish between AI and human-created music, there's a risk that publishers and labels might increasingly opt for synthetic bands that don't require royalty payments 1.
George Howard, a professor at Berklee College of Music, warns that unlike previous technological innovations in music, AI could lead to the "eradication of the chance of sustainability for the vast majority of artists" 1. He emphasizes that this challenge is fundamentally different from past technological disruptions in the industry.
The rise of AI in music production has also sparked legal battles. Many artists are engaged in lawsuits against generative AI companies whose models imitate their styles or works 1. The outcomes of these legal challenges could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI in music and the protection of artists' rights.
In response to these challenges, industry experts are advising human musicians to adapt. Mathieu Gendreau emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship skills for artists to survive in this new landscape 1. Leo Sidran suggests that musicians should focus on highlighting their unique qualities and avoid predictable compositions that AI could easily replicate 1.
For now, live performances remain a domain where human musicians have a clear advantage, as AI bands have yet to take the stage 12. This presents an opportunity for artists to capitalize on the irreplaceable experience of live music events.
As the music industry continues to grapple with the implications of AI-generated music, the coming years will likely see further debates and innovations shaping the future of creativity, authenticity, and economic sustainability in the world of music.
OpenAI raises $8.3 billion in a new funding round, valuing the company at $300 billion. The AI giant's rapid growth and ambitious plans attract major investors, signaling a significant shift in the AI industry landscape.
10 Sources
Business and Economy
23 hrs ago
10 Sources
Business and Economy
23 hrs ago
Major tech companies are investing unprecedented amounts in AI infrastructure, with combined spending expected to reach $344 billion in 2025. This massive expenditure reflects the intense competition and fear of missing out in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
3 Sources
Business and Economy
15 hrs ago
3 Sources
Business and Economy
15 hrs ago
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates expresses surprise at AI's rapid advancement and discusses its potential to replace human workers, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for this transition.
2 Sources
Technology
7 hrs ago
2 Sources
Technology
7 hrs ago
Thousands of US export license applications, including high-profile AI chip exports to China, are facing significant delays due to turmoil at the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security.
3 Sources
Business and Economy
23 hrs ago
3 Sources
Business and Economy
23 hrs ago
AI startups are experiencing unprecedented growth with record-breaking investments and strategic acquisitions, signaling a robust market despite economic uncertainties.
2 Sources
Startups
7 hrs ago
2 Sources
Startups
7 hrs ago