Ben Lee, a renowned singer and songwriter, shares his insightful perspectives on the impact of AI in music. He discusses how AI tools can generate sophisticated tracks and the financial fears they instill in artists. The conversation delves into ethical concerns around voice cloning and unauthorized use of musicians' intellectual property. Lee also emphasizes the importance of the human touch in live performances, urging a reevaluation of music's value in a digital age.
The rise of AI music creation poses significant financial threats to artists, with studies indicating that nearly a quarter of their revenue is at risk.
Live performances remain irreplaceable by AI, highlighting the essential human connection between artists and audiences in a digitized music landscape.
Deep dives
Impact of AI on Artist Revenue
The integration of AI in music creation has raised significant concerns among artists regarding its potential to undermine their revenue. A recent study indicated that almost a quarter of Australian musicians' income could be threatened by AI technologies. This alarming number sparked discussions about the lack of consent and transparency related to how AI engine utilizes existing music data. The fear is that if these practices continue without appropriate regulations, the financial stakes for human musicians could diminish drastically.
Devaluation of Human Creativity
There is a growing sentiment that the music industry has been experiencing a progressive devaluation long before AI became a prominent player. Historically, events such as the advent of file-sharing platforms and the rise of streaming services have contributed to this trend, reducing the intrinsic value associated with music created by humans. As artists increasingly face challenges in establishing the worth of their work, the question emerges about the cultural implications of undervaluing human creativity. This ongoing struggle highlights a societal gap in recognizing music as an essential form of artistic expression.
The Future of Live Music Experience
Despite technological advancements in music production, the live performance arena remains a unique space that AI cannot replicate. Artists connect with audiences through spontaneous and interactive experiences that define the human aspect of music. This connection emphasizes the continued relevance of live performances and the profound value they hold in the relationship between artists and their fans. In a world where digital music consumption dominates, preserving and appreciating the live music experience is essential for fostering genuine human connection through art.
Generative AI tools can now produce sophisticated music complete with fake lyrics, a fake singer and fake instruments.
With the right prompt and training, artificial intelligence tools can even be used to produce cheap new songs that almost sound like they’re from your favourite artist.
AI has some of Australia’s biggest artists worried and a study from the industry suggests nearly a quarter of their revenue is at risk.
Today, singer, songwriter Ben Lee joins Sam Hawley with his take on AI music and the future of human creativity.
Featured:
Ben Lee, musician
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