TED Talks Daily Is AI ruining music? | Dustin Ballard
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Aug 7, 2025 
Dustin Ballard, a musician and creator known for his YouTube channel "There I Ruined It," dives into the intriguing intersection of AI and music. He questions what makes music 'real' and discusses AI’s influence on creativity in songwriting. With humor, he shares personal experiences with AI-generated pieces, pondering whether these tools are enhancing or undermining authenticity in music. The talk prompts listeners to contemplate the future of artistic expression as technology evolves in the music landscape.
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Historical Context of Music Authenticity
- Music authenticity debates existed since early recorded music like phonographs.
- John Philip Sousa criticized reproduction for lacking human skill and soul, similar to today's AI concerns.
AI Voice Model Example
- Dustin created a cover of 50 Cent's 'In the Club' with AI imitating Conway Twitty's voice.
- His fiddle playing is real, but vocals are transformed by a custom AI voice model.
Fully AI-Generated Blues Song
- Dustin generated an entire blues song in 1930s style using only AI from text prompts.
- Hearing the emotional voice of a non-existent singer unsettled him, highlighting complexities of AI music.