MaurosArt
Soulless, empty, and non-existent personas have crept into the music sphere, unaware, almost unnoticed by the masses. These entities are taking over the top positions in all things streaming. And to think, artificial intelligence has made some really big moves, just over a handful of years ago, since it bounced onto the scene.
Think about this: AI has made some considerable moves, from behind the scenes with powerful production tools and algorithms, to full-on center stage as full-fledged music creators! We’re not talking about a seismic event with a shift in novelty here.
With entities like Velvet Sundown and Aventhis topping the streaming charts on platforms like Spotify, hitting over 600K in monthly listeners, with no concerts, no interviews, no social media presence whatsoever, they’re like a sleeper creeping up and taking the top position! This, even with fictional bios and a fake quote from Billboard! You can’t make this sh!t up, they’re sucking up millions amassing streams, and redefining the human existence in how music is made, appreciated, and distributed across the world. Is anyone paying attention?
The attractiveness of scalable, cheap, and royalty-free music created by AI is just ridiculous, and it tickles the nether parts of those peeps running the streaming platforms, while holding hands with advertisers.
To put it into perspective, there are no contracts, no royalties, no artistic creative freedoms to deal with, because there is no one to be compensated, no divas, no posse’s, no overheads, given the fact that these “artists” are AI-generated bands! The side effect of all of this sludge is an oversaturation of synthetic music mashing through the clogs of the platforms, mostly without any clear labeling, which just adds to the chaos and confusion tumbling through the music sphere.
Not to be a Debby Downer, but streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have totally embraced AI-generated content, meaning they have ‘thick-headily’ integrated it into playlists and Frankensteined it into tools like AI Playlist on Spotify. We’re talking about a beast that curates music based on users’ prompts. YouTube also jumped on the Frankened bandwagon, experimenting with its YouTube Shorts with AI-generated tracks utilizing real artists’ styles as inspiration.
The convenience of all of this sounds great, especially for those at the top, stacking their pockets thick, but the human cost is irreparable. The field for musicians, and I mean humans, is becoming harder to compete in. Commissions and opportunities are sharply declining with the machines shifting towards an ever-evolving, highly efficient algorithm, kicking cultural and emotional depth to the curb, which only human artistry brings.
But let’s not stop there. AI not only creates the music…but it also curates YOU. Think about that for a second. We’re talking algorithms that gather intel such as listening habits, likes, and search queries – to deliver personalized music suggestions. Combined with time, location, and mood, these ‘algos’ can muster up some hyper-personalized music experiences.
"... they're sucking up millions amassing streams, and redefining the human existence in how music is made, ..."
They also play a significant role, shaping how the masses hear music, like a constant drip, feeding listeners, numb to the programming, and providing a steady stream of familiar, similar tracks, conditioning listeners. In what some are concerned leads to “algorithmic echo chambers”, a nudging force pulling listeners toward a predictable … space, of formulaic music.
Generation Z, for this demographic, AI-generated playlists are the norm. There have been studies that reveal that young listeners are exposed to a broader range of music styles and genres, from K-pop, rock, and jazz to classical music. All of this is due to the expansive and far-reaching capabilities of AI’s algorithms. Yet with all of this diverse music, there is an inconsistency: communal listening experiences are fragmenting, however, independent musical tastes are broadening.
With this in mind, look at the chasm between teens and their peers, where they don’t even know what their listening to. The role of traditional music has been technologically weakened as a cultural touchstone.
With the introduction of biometric data commingled with AI algorithms, the ethics of its use bring up a lot of questions. Are AI’s algorithms subtly conditioning listeners’ preferences by their ability to alter moods? Or predict musical hits based on tempo, mood, or data from biometrics? It’s getting to be like Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’.
An introverted era in music appreciation is taking a foothold, where one values personalization and convenience over shared experiences. Authenticity, in a sense, is kicked to the curb. This is what the rise of AI in music is ushering in. While this beast democratizes access to the creation and discovery of music, it also, in size, will commodify the artistry of music into a data-driven demon of output.
Conclusion: The Future of Music Is Hybrid, Baby
At the end of the day, AI is just another tool, and yes, there is a lot of doomsday, doom, and gloom preached around this entity called Artificial Intelligence, and some experts say it could lead to the end of humanity as we know it.
But if used ethically and with a certain amount of transparency, it can enhance the creative flow and expand those musical horizons. Now I am sounding like the devil’s advocate. But, hey, unchecked, the soul of music is at risk of eroding all the way into the ether, and I personally think we’ve hit a milestone somewhere in that direction…I hope not. In all, we have to strike a balance and face the challenges ahead. Artists should be empowered with the tools that AI can provide, but also ensure that we collectively safeguard integrity, and the cornerstone of human will and expression.
If you have read this far, you have to ask yourself this question. Think about it. As a listener of music, do you value the emotional truth put forth by the artists, or are you content with a machine-like algorithmic perfection? I don’t know where you are on your journey in life, but your answer will be like a ripple that contributes to the shaping of the future of music, not just in the here and now, but for generations to come. After all, we are all connected in this spiritual and rhythmic dance we call life.
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