Generative AI started to become popularized in 2022 when ChatGPT was introduced. Ever since, generative AI has been everywhere. We see people using it for all sorts of reasons: helping with an assignment, brainstorming ideas, answering questions, creating images, and so much more. But generative AI is advancing so quickly that many people are beginning to worry about its impact on society. According to Nexford University, generative AI now has the power to replace 300 million full-time jobs worldwide. We can already see the beginning of this, with many people getting laid off as their jobs are replaced with generative AI. One field that is particularly shocking to see AI replace is music.
On TikTok, fans have been creating AI music for 2-3 years now. Most of these songs were just their favorite artist covering a different, already existing song. For example, AI Drake singing songs that were originally created by Harry Styles. Covers like these would go viral, with neither of the artists’ consent, raising ethical concerns. However, now, songs by AI are being made from scratch with voices that have never been heard of before. Ever heard of Xania Monet? According to Billboard, she’s the first-ever AI-generated artist to appear on their radio chart. Her song “How Was I Supposed to Know?” hit #30 on the Adult R&B Airplay Chart. The fact that she was able to chart means that radio stations are playing AI-generated music and gaining traction from it. Another AI-generated artist, Breaking Rust, debuted #9 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart earlier this month. This AI artist also has 2 songs charting in the Country Digital Song Sales Chart. These are just 2 out of a handful of AI-generated artists on the Billboard charts. More and more AI-generated music is being pushed out, and more people are starting to recognize it.
According to the US Senator of Tennessee, songs created with AI can pose a threat to many existing artists. A recent study that she found claimed that AI could cut a quarter of an artist’s revenue in the next 4 years. That is equivalent to millions of dollars that an artist could’ve been earning. This not only hurts the musicians, but all 2.5 million individuals who work in the US music industry. In efforts to combat this issue, the US Senator of Tennessee claims that she and other US officials are working to enforce the NO FAKES Act, which prevents people from creating AI-generated content replicating an individual’s voice or appearance. This will help prevent the spread of AI-generated music using an existing artist’s voice. This protects an artist’s individuality, but AI-generated music in general, which also poses a risk to real artists, hasn’t had any legal efforts made against it yet.
Some artists may be harmed by generative AI in music, but other artists believe it helps them improve their music or create new sounds. Teddy Swims (singer who released the Diamond single ‘Lose Control’), claimed that he sometimes uses AI when creating music. He mentions that he would do it for little things such as having AI re-record a particular line in his song or re-imagining older songs in different styles for his own inspiration. He currently has a lot of chatter for admitting this in an interview, but imagine how many other big artists have been using this technology to help them with their music.
AI-generated music has a lot of mixed opinions and controversy behind it. The New York Times asked students what they thought about AI generated music, and everyone had different perspectives. Some people loved the idea of AI covers and said they’d support AI music as long as it was good, while others believe that AI makes music less authentic and is taking away from talented individuals. Regardless of where you stand, one thing is clear: AI is becoming a powerful presence in the music industry, something unimaginable five years ago.
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