Plain English with Derek Thompson
How AI Could Change the Future of Music
Mar 4, 2025
Mark Henry Phillips, a talented film and podcast composer, joins to discuss the rapid evolution of AI in music. The conversation dives into how AI tools can create songs, raising questions about the future of music composition. Phillips shares his experiences and worries that AI may replace human creativity. They explore the complexities of copyright law and the ethics surrounding AI-generated music. Ultimately, the discussion challenges our understanding of inspiration versus imitation in art and creativity.
59:41
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Quick takeaways
- The rapid advancement of AI in music threatens job security for professional musicians by efficiently producing high-quality compositions that mimic human creativity.
- AI's integration into music composition shifts the creative process, enabling musicians to use technology as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement.
Deep dives
The Impact of AI on Music Composition
Generative AI platforms for music, such as Suno, allow users to create songs by specifying a style, mood, and lyrics, and these tools demonstrate impressive capabilities. The discussion highlights a humorous example of generating music in response to the shocking NBA trade of Luka Doncic, showcasing how AI can produce tailored songs quickly. While these AI-generated songs exhibit a resemblance to real music, they are often viewed more as clever parlor tricks rather than true artistic expressions. This raises questions about the implications of AI in traditional music creation and forces musicians to reckon with how technology might redefine the creative process.
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