My Thoughts on AI and AI Music

Junkie XL
20 Mar 202405:07

TLDRTom discusses the integration of AI in music composition, expressing excitement for its potential to aid musicians and composers. He acknowledges concerns about job displacement but draws parallels to historical technological advancements like the Industrial Revolution. Tom notes AI's current limitations, especially in creating complex, artistic music like pop songs, but sees a promising future for AI in music, urging others to embrace and learn from it.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 The speaker loves AI and is excited about its integration into the music-making process.
  • 🔧 AI's impact on jobs is a historical concern since the Industrial Revolution, but new professions emerge with technological advancements.
  • 🚀 AI in music is currently not highly developed, with a market that is not yet large enough to fully invest in it.
  • 🎼 AI excels in composing classical music due to its theoretical and scientific nature, which aligns with AI's strengths.
  • 👶 The current level of AI music is compared to a young teenager just beginning to understand music.
  • 🎹 Early AI music algorithms were and still are quite clunky, requiring more development for better results.
  • 👨‍🎤 Artistic choices by bands like Radiohead are complex and not easily replicated by AI, which struggles with such nuances.
  • 🛠️ The speaker advises embracing technological developments like AI, as resistance has historically been futile.
  • 📈 Technological transitions, such as the introduction of drum computers and synthesizers, initially caused fear but ultimately led to new opportunities.
  • 🔮 The speaker predicts that AI will become smart and integrated into the music industry within the next 10 to 15 years.
  • 🛑 The speaker encourages using AI as a tool to improve one's skills as a composer and to adapt to the changing industry landscape.

Q & A

  • What is the speaker's opinion on AI and its integration into the music-making process?

    -The speaker loves AI and embraces it. They are excited about the prospect of AI being integrated into the music-making process and believe that it can help composers, musicians, and producers make better decisions.

  • How does the speaker address the fear of job loss due to AI in the music industry?

    -The speaker acknowledges the fear but points out that such developments have been happening since the Industrial Revolution, and certain professions have been replaced over time. They suggest embracing AI and using it as a tool to improve one's skills.

  • What historical context does the speaker provide to the development of AI in music?

    -The speaker refers to the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s in England, highlighting how technological advancements have consistently replaced certain jobs and created new ones.

  • What is the current state of AI in music composition according to the speaker?

    -The speaker states that AI in music composition is still in its early stages, likening its current capabilities to a 12 or 14-year-old beginner in music. It is more developed in classical music due to its theoretical and scientific nature.

  • Why is AI more adept at composing classical music than modern radio hits?

    -Classical music is more based on theory and science, which AI software and computers excel at. In contrast, modern radio hits often involve unique artistic choices that are more challenging for AI to emulate.

  • What examples does the speaker give of past technological advancements in music that were initially met with resistance?

    -The speaker mentions the introduction of drum computers, synthesizers, and MP3s, each of which faced initial resistance from musicians and the industry due to fears of job loss and changing business models.

  • How has the music industry adapted to past technological changes, according to the speaker?

    -The speaker explains that after a transition period, the music industry adapted by changing its business model, leading to a completely different form of industry than before.

  • What is the speaker's advice for those in the music industry regarding AI?

    -The speaker advises embracing AI, learning about it, and using it as a personal tool to become a better composer. They suggest not fighting technical development but rather seeing where it leads.

  • What does the speaker predict for the future of AI in music?

    -The speaker predicts that AI will become smarter and more integrated into the music-making process within the next 10 to 15 years, possibly even sooner, and will significantly impact the industry.

  • How does the speaker view the potential personal impact of AI on their career in the future?

    -The speaker acknowledges the possibility that they might be out of a job in 5 years due to AI advancements but maintains a positive outlook on embracing the changes brought by AI.

  • What is the speaker's final call to action for the audience?

    -The speaker encourages the audience to share their thoughts on the topic, indicating an openness to discussion and diverse perspectives on AI in music.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Embracing AI in Music Composition

Tom discusses the integration of AI in music, expressing his excitement for the future where AI can be steered by musicians to enhance the creative process. He acknowledges the fear of job loss due to AI but draws a historical parallel to the Industrial Revolution, highlighting that change is inevitable. Tom points out that AI is currently not advanced enough in music, comparing its current state to a beginner musician, but notes its potential, especially in classical music. He encourages embracing AI as a tool for personal growth and creativity, reflecting on past technological shifts in the music industry.

05:01

🔜 Looking Forward to Future AI Developments

This paragraph serves as a transition, indicating the next episode where Tom will likely continue the discussion on AI's impact on music. It's a brief pause, setting the stage for further exploration of the topic in subsequent content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the context of the video, AI is being discussed in relation to its integration into the music-making process. The speaker is excited about the potential for AI to assist composers, musicians, and producers in making better decisions through a learning curve. An example from the script is the anticipation of AI becoming a functioning software program that can be steered to improve music creation.

💡Music

Music is an art form and cultural activity whose medium is sound organized in time. The video discusses the application of AI in creating music, suggesting that AI's involvement in this domain is still in its early stages, akin to a young musician learning the ropes. The script mentions that AI-generated music might currently sound simplistic, like a song from a beginner, but it excels in classical music due to its theoretical and scientific nature.

💡Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution refers to the period of significant technological, economic, and social change that began in the late 1800s in England. It marked the shift from manual labor to machines, leading to unemployment in certain professions. The video script uses this historical event as a comparison to the current fear some people have about AI potentially replacing jobs, emphasizing that technological advancements have always led to changes in the job market.

💡Autoc Composing Algorithm

An autoc composing algorithm is a type of AI system designed to create music automatically. The script mentions that early attempts at such algorithms were 'clunky' and not yet refined, suggesting that the technology is still in development. The speaker believes that with time, these algorithms will become more sophisticated and integrated into the creative process.

💡Classical Music

Classical music is a genre that has its roots in the traditions of Western art, including both religious and secular music. The script points out that AI excels in composing classical music because it is highly structured and based on scientific principles, which aligns well with AI's strengths in pattern recognition and theory.

💡Radio Hat

Radio Hat appears to be a fictional band name used in the script to illustrate a point. The speaker uses it to contrast the complexity of creating music that has unique artistic choices, which is currently a challenge for AI. The example shows that while AI might be good at creating structured classical music, it may struggle with the creative nuances of popular music like what a band like 'Radio Hat' might produce.

💡Drum Computer

A drum computer, or drum machine, is an electronic instrument designed to imitate drum beats. The script references the initial fear among drummers when drum machines were introduced in the 1980s, suggesting that they thought their jobs were at risk. This example is used to draw a parallel with the current apprehension about AI in music.

💡Synthesizer

A synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals that can be manipulated in various ways. The video mentions the fear among piano players when synthesizers were introduced, as people thought they would no longer be needed. This historical context is used to highlight the resistance to technological change in music and how it has since been embraced.

💡MP3

MP3 is a digital audio format known for its ability to reduce the size of audio files significantly. The script discusses the initial impact of MP3s and digital music sharing on the music industry, with record companies fearing the end of music purchases. This example is used to show how the industry adapted and changed business models in response to technological advancements.

💡Embrace

To embrace something means to accept or support it willingly. In the video, the speaker encourages embracing AI and its potential in music rather than resisting it. The term is used to convey a positive attitude towards technological development and its integration into creative fields.

💡Technical Development

Technical development refers to the progress and innovation in technology. The script emphasizes the importance of embracing technical development, as it has historically led to new opportunities and changes in industries, including music. The speaker's personal opinion is to welcome such advancements and adapt to them rather than oppose them.

Highlights

Tom expresses his love for AI and its potential integration in the music-making process.

AI is expected to help musicians and composers make better decisions through learning curves.

Concerns about job loss due to AI in music are compared to historical industrial changes.

AI's current use in complex surgeries and various industries is highlighted.

The market for AI in music is not yet large enough for significant development.

Early AI music composition algorithms were clunky and still have a long way to go.

AI's proficiency in classical music due to its theoretical and scientific nature.

AI's current limitations in creating music like popular radio hits due to complex artistic choices.

The historical resistance to new technologies like drum computers and synthesizers.

The transition period in the music industry with the advent of MP3s and digital distribution.

Embracing AI and technical developments as a way to enhance one's career in music.

AI is not yet smart or intelligent enough for sophisticated music composition.

AI's potential to become an essential tool for composers in the future.

The importance of using AI as a personal tool for improvement in music composition.

Tom's personal stance on embracing rather than fighting technical development in music.

The unpredictability of the impact of AI on jobs in the music industry within the next 5 years.

An open invitation for listeners to share their thoughts on AI in music.