The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music is divisive, with some artists embracing the technology to generate songs and clips, while others oppose it, resulting in legal disputes. In an article for Forbes, Ekaterina Komissarova, the director of talent development at «Zvuk STUDIO,» discusses popular AI tools, notable controversies, and the future of AI-generated music.
Many contemporary musicians, like the American rock band Linkin Park, have utilized AI to create music videos. Canadian artist Grimes has allowed her voice to be used in AI-generated songs, even offering royalties for successful cases. In Japan, virtual concerts featuring Hatsune Miku rely on AI for voice synthesis, and the president of the Grammy Awards has permitted nominations for music created using AI.
A survey of 300 artists and producers in Russia indicates that while over half expressed interest in AI, only a portion have used it to create music. Nonetheless, many have experimented with AI for tasks like mixing music or generating vocals. The growing popularity of AI tools, such as MusicGen and Google’s Gemini, reflects an increasing acceptance of AI in music creation.
However, not all artists support AI. Concerns about AI compromising the human essence of music and issues with copyright have arisen. Notable musicians, including Nicki Minaj and Stevie Wonder, have signed a letter opposing the misuse of generative AI, condemning companies that train AI on tracks without consent. Legal battles continue, exemplified by Universal Music’s lawsuits against AI startups for using their artists’ songs without permission.
The future of AI in music remains uncertain, heavily influenced by ongoing legal challenges and the quality of AI output. As technology advances, its adoption may become more prevalent in the music industry, but the call for regulatory frameworks is crucial.