Setting Boundaries: AI In The Music Industry
The public release of AI on November 30, 2022, stirred a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension across the globe. Amid the awe and disbelief surrounding the capabilities of AI and what the future of artificial intelligence holds, questions emerged about its impact on various industries, the Music Industry being one of them. However, the recent unregulated integration of AI into the music creation process poses significant threats to the jobs, creative autonomy, and integrity of artists and producers. In light of these challenges, stringent regulations on AI within the music industry are necessary to preserve the essential human elements that make up the magic of a song. These uncharted waters can be navigated in many ways, but ethical practices in music production and the music business at large should stay at the forefront of concern.While revolutionary, this technological advancement should be used as a tool, not a replacement.
The integration of AI in the music industry, supported by companies such as Splice, MusicFlow, and Soundraw, has ushered in a transformative era with significant implications for copyright and royalties. These technologies write songs, produce beats, create music, and even replicate artists’ vocals for singing or rapping i.e. fake Drakes. The absence of a robust regulatory framework surrounding AI-generated music poses a concerning threat to the traditional structure of intellectual property within the industry. In response to these challenges, a set of key principles is discussed by Marcellus Williams in an article published in The Hilltop, emphasizing the “threat of AI being able to take somebody’s voice and make a song threatens the position of need for actual artists if it’s used with no restraints” (Williams). Despite posing a threat to the artist’s integrity, this complete use of AI introduces legal obstacles that have never been crossed. This significant risk artists are facing is driven by labels who are capitalizing on AI’s rapid and cost-effective model. This model has the potential to drastically alter the trajectory of the Music Industry. The way music is written, produced, monetized, and streamed is on the cusp of a major change (Chynoweth). Without proper regulation and permission, the current state of the music industry resembles a hazardous and unpredictable “Wild West”-like territory for artists.
In a Music Ally article, Stuart Dredge suggests four key considerations for managing the rise of AI in the music industry: gaining permission before using music for AI teaching, maintaining records for proper crediting, clear labeling of AI-generated music, and proposing no copyright protection for AI-created content. These principles underscore the necessity for regulation in addressing AI’s potential impact on the music scene. Additionally, his considerations address the potential ethical pitfalls of using copyrighted material without due consideration for the rights and permissions associated with it. By prioritizing artists and creators, these principles set the stage for possible laws that could prevent big labels like Warner Music and Sony from favoring AI-created songs over the real, heartfelt work of human artists due to the lack of royalties and copyright fees. They also protect artists by making sure their work doesn’t end up in an “AI database” which helps AI learn and create new songs. The call for legislation is crucial to navigate the evolving challenges posed by AI and to safeguard the rights and interests of human creators in this rapidly changing landscape.
The root of acting on quick legislation swiftly is key for the rapidly evolving world of AI. With unexpected software advancements coming out every day, the integrity and personality of music and artists are at risk. One of the most attractive things about music is how a song can be construed in different ways depending on the listener and the story of the artist. Whether it is a breakup song, a song about depression, grief, or love, there is always an origin story. Protecting the authenticity of artists and the meaningful stories and emotions that surround every composition should be of utmost importance. Who wants to listen to a computer-generated song about grief? What does a computer know about grief? The music business solely functions and thrives off of the consumer as “listener perceptions are strongly impacted by knowledge of a song’s origins…learning that a song is AI-generated…a little more than half of consumers said that they would enjoy it less” (Williams). Art is something that cannot be created without a story or emotion, and I believe the world would not respond well to an AI music takeover. Moreover, music generated by AI often faces challenges in generating innovative concepts or deviating from a distinctive style or genre. This situation may hinder its capacity to create genuinely groundbreaking compositions. Emotional dimension and personal experience are pillars of human creativity, thus there must be laws in place to protect these aspects of creativity in music.
When discussing AI regulations and the ethical quandary surrounding its use in the music industry, I believe it’s important to separate the circumstance into two different kinds of ethical dilemmas: business ethics and personal ethics. When putting on a business ethics cap, it’s evident that executives at major labels like Sony Music, Warner, and Universal would likely use AI to maximize profits for their shareholders. Therefore, leading figures in the music industry express optimism about incorporating AI into the music creation process (Williams). From a label executive’s perspective, paying less for songs and production is the main goal and therefore, would be an ethically responsible thing to do from a business standpoint. Consequently, this yields no royalties or copyright dividends that would normally go to a human artist. This is a game changer and a reason these companies are excited about AI (Gordon). Additionally, when songs are made for movies, scores, television shows, etc. The cheap quality of AI is an enticing alternative for this specified use of music. It is our society’s responsibility to get ahead of the game by advocating for a legislative process that sets clear boundaries to preserve human jobs and creativity. An important element of creativity in music is the diversity in the stories and experiences shared, a kind of diversity that AI cannot replicate. As companies further incorporate the use of AI into their business models, it is crucial to uphold ethical principles and preserve the value of human nature throughout the process.
As mentioned, AI should be used as a tool in the music industry, not a replacement. This extreme technological advancement simultaneously brings excitement of potential and a sense of impending doom. From a personal ethics standpoint, it is clear that we should not allow AI to replace the jobs of artists and change the economic and creative landscape of a huge industry. However, AI is here to stay so it is important to recognize how we can utilize it as a tool to help artists rather than replace them completely. Realistically, it would be a shame to ignore the advantages of available technology and enhancements provided by AI. For example, AI can shorten writer’s block, visualize sound enhancements, and analyze volume levels and EQ settings to expedite the process of producing more efficiently (Rolling Stone Culture Council). This ethical use of the tool straddles the productive nature that the music business is yearning for, while also focusing on accentuating and harnessing artist authenticity. In the world of music production, AI is revolutionizing aspects of sound and song development by enriching and bettering the way sounds converge. With the combination of using AI as an instrument to enhance music and legislation that limits the unethical use of AI in music production, there appears to be a promising middle ground in navigating the concerns surrounding the unpredictable trajectory of technology.
Works Cited
Chynoweth, Victoria. “The rise of AI and the impact it could have on the music industry.” Cointelegraph, 26 April 2023, https://cointelegraph.com/news/the-rise-of-ai-and-the-impact-it-could-have-on-the-music-industry. Accessed 4 February 2024.
Dredge, Stuart. “Independent music publishers propose ‘ethical’ AI guidelines.” Music Ally, 10 October 2023, https://musically.com/2023/10/10/independent-music-publishers-propose-ethical-ai-guidelines/. Accessed 4 February 2024.
“The Impacts and Disruption of AI on Music Industry Stakeholders.” Rolling Stone Culture Council, https://council.rollingstone.com/blog/the-impacts-and-disruption-of-ai-on-music-industry-stakeholders. Accessed 4 February 2024.
Marr, Bernard. “A Short History Of ChatGPT: How We Got To Where We Are Today.” Forbes, 19 May 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2023/05/19/a-short-history-of-chatgpt-how-we-got-to-where-we-are-today/. Accessed 4 February 2024.
Williams, Marcellus, et al. “AI has breached the front lines of the music industry, causing concern for creatives and consumers.” The Hilltop, 6 November 2023, https://thehilltoponline.com/2023/11/06/ai-has-breached-the-front-lines-of-the-music-industry-causing-concern-for-creatives-and-consumers/. Accessed 4 February 2024.
