A survival guide for musicians in the age of AI | Harvey Mason jr.
Mar 21, 2025
auto_awesome
Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and accomplished songwriter, shares his insights on navigating the music industry amid the rise of AI. He doesn't believe AI will eclipse human songwriters, emphasizing that artists can thrive by embracing technology. Mason presents a four-step survival guide for creators, highlighting the importance of preserving human emotion in artistry while adapting to new tools. He paints a hopeful picture where resilience and innovation enable musicians to maintain their unique voice in an evolving landscape.
Harvey Mason jr. emphasizes the importance of human songwriters adapting to AI by understanding its capabilities and leveraging technology creatively.
The podcast underscores the necessity for musicians to advocate for their rights and highlight the emotional depth that only human artistry can provide.
Deep dives
Empowering Home Manicures
A new system has been introduced that allows people to achieve salon-quality manicures at home for a fraction of the cost, making it financially accessible. The Manny System includes affordable tools and long-lasting polish, which together make at-home manicures only $2 each. This significant cost-saving measures contrast sharply with expensive salon prices, often reaching $30 to $50, allowing individuals to paint their nails at their convenience. Not only does this system promote personal empowerment and convenience, but it also fosters a sense of pride in one's ability to perform the manicure independently.
Navigating AI in Music
The impact of artificial intelligence on the music industry raises crucial concerns for musicians, particularly regarding job security and market viability. A songwriter and industry executive expresses a dual perspective: while AI can enhance creativity, it also poses a risk of replacing human creators. He recounts an experience when his team, exploring generative AI, felt threatened by its capacity to produce music faster than traditional methods, leading to fears of obsolescence. This highlights the urgent need for artists to adapt to these technological changes rather than succumb to them.
The Four Steps to Thrive
To ensure the survival and success of human creativity amidst advancing AI, four strategic steps are proposed: understand, adapt, advocate, and compete. Understanding AI's capabilities allows creators to utilize its tools effectively, while adaptation to these technologies has historical precedents, showing that innovation can enhance careers rather than inhibit them. Advocacy for the protection of human artistry is essential and has led to legislative actions aimed at safeguarding creative rights. Finally, the need to compete emphasizes the unique emotional and storytelling aspects that only human creators can bring to their work, ensuring that music remains a deeply personal and impactful art form.
Artificial intelligence can write a song in seconds, but does that mean human songwriters will become obsolete? Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. doesn’t think so. A songwriter himself, he offers a four-step “survival guide” for human creators to endure the age of AI, urging musicians to embrace technology while preserving the emotional essence of human artistry.