Robots can’t replace soul
A new music business start up claims it will revolutionise the future of music.
A. I Music is dedicated to developing AI ( artificial intelligence) to the point where the composition of music is written exclusively by programmes using a series of algorithms drawing upon the most popular music.
The arrival of the amplifier, synth keyboard, reel to reel tapes, and myriad production techniques at our disposal mean we are more able than ever before to create music.
This doesn’t mean music is any ‘ better’ than before and arguably less so with increased dependency on technology over development of creativity or talent.
Whether or not we place the same importance or value the authenticity of artists in respect to their chart position these days is another matter completely. It’s clear that now more than ever we are using computer technology to create and sell music which brings some interesting considerations to the table.
There was outcry at the allegation and discovery ( though denied) that Spotify was using computer generated ambient tracks on its site, ensuring it doesn’t have to pay out money to a human composer.
Will our appreciation of music itself change and eventually decline when we fail to appreciate the humanity and soul that went in to making it?
Arguably society already views music as a commodity with less value than ever before although sales have seen healthy increases over the last few years thanks to a resurgence in appetite for buying vinyl records.
Our appreciation of music has changed throughout the last ten years as the way we consume music has changed. Indeed many people don’t buy music anymore, instead we stream it through online stockists such as Spotify and Apple Music where essentially we license it rather than owning the product outright.
It’s the live music environment that has become all the more important to the industry which relies on the insatiable need of music fans to see their favourite bands and artists perform live. Certainly I don’t think anything can beat seeing your favourite band perform live and I don’t think anything will ever change that. From going to see local bands to international touring acts there is nothing like the live experience.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop having a passion for live music, it’s where the humanity and soul is in music. I like imperfections, shades of colour and soul and knowing that the band are right there in front of me, it’s all bare and brilliant.
To me music is one of the most human endeavours and is pure expression of the soul. It’s not something that can be replicated with real authenticity by any computer or artificial intelligence. Indeed much of the humanity comes from something a computer programme will never understand - soul. I like imperfection, something we’re pretty good at as humans. I don’t want my music synthetically produced or created by an algorithm. Music is pure soul and I can’t see the robots taking over that anytime soon.
@ LittleFire