By Shreyas Balasubramanian
From chatbots and virtual assistants to machine learning algorithms and automated processes, artificial intelligence (AI) has brought unprecedented efficiency and convenience to many aspects of our daily life. Now, even creative fields like music production are utilizing AI tools. As AI makes significant advancements in various aspects of music production, the question that invariably arises is will AI replace humans in this dynamic and inventive field? While AI has its strengths and has been used to generate music based on pre-programmed algorithms and data, it seems to lack the adaptability, flexibility and emotional depth that humans bring to the creative process. This essay will explore reasons why AI, despite its impressive capabilities, cannot replace humans at work, particularly in a creative space like the music industry.
A wave of automation and innovation took place in the late 1920s and 1930s. During this period jobs began to be taken over by machines. An article in the New York Times dated 26 February 1928, wrote the following in the context of the newly introduced cement mixer: “building materials are mixed like dough in a machine and literally poured into place without the touch of a human hand.” Automation and machines taking over sources of livelihood has always been a source of anxiety for humans. In 2013, the University of Oxford released a report on how certain fields are vulnerable to automation. The study concluded that the jobs where humans are least likely to be replaced by robots require either creativity, expert perception and manipulation, or high degrees of social intelligence.
AI has been taking over jobs in fields that involve mundane and repetitive tasks. However, humans bring creativity, intuition, and ingenuity to complex problem-solving, which are difficult for AI to replicate. American physicist Percy Spencer was working on radar technology during World War II, when he noticed that the magnetron he was experimenting with had melted the chocolate bar in his pocket. He was able to connect his understanding of electromagnetic radiation with this observation to invent the microwave oven. This is a remarkable example of a cross-pollination of ideas that only humans are capable of. Original, innovative ideas are not restricted to big-impact events or processes. In fact, they are thoughts that occur to each of us in small ways, often without us even realizing them. These ‘eureka’ moments of discovery often arise in our subconscious, as our minds make unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated pieces of information. These connections can lead to new ideas, insights, and innovations that we might not have arrived at through purely logical or conscious thinking, and this puts a fundamental limit on the human tasks that can be automated.
Adaptability and Flexibility
The music industry is a realm of artistic expression, creativity, and emotional connect. While artificial intelligence has made significant advancements and has been utilized in various aspects of music production, it cannot fully replace humans in this dynamic, inventive field. Creative fields require adaptability and flexibility, as the creative process is often iterative and involves experimentation and refinement. Human creators have the ability to adapt their work based on feedback, to learn from their past mistakes, and to iterate their creations until they achieve their vision. AI, on the other hand, relies on pre-programmed algorithms and data, and may not possess the same level of adaptability and flexibility as humans.
Connecting With Audiences
Another critical aspect of creativity is the ability to communicate and connect with the audiences. Creative works are often intended to evoke emotions, convey messages, and engage with the audience at a deep, personal level. Human creators possess communication skills such as storytelling, empathy, and understanding of emotions that allows them to empathize with their audiences in a profound way. They can create works that resonate with people and provoke moving reactions. Moreover, music is an avenue for personal expression and creativity. Musicians bring their own unique styles, voices, and perspectives to their compositions and performances. Human musicians have the ability to innovate, experiment, and push boundaries in their music, resulting in diverse and original creations. Human musicians draw on their experiences, moods, and creative instincts to craft music that reflects their unique identities. Each musician has a unique perspective on the world and expresses his/her thoughts, feelings, and opinions through music in a way that resonates with audiences. AI-generated music, on the other hand, may lack the same level of understanding and connection with the social and cultural context, which is crucial in creating music that reflects the zeitgeist and resonates with the audiences.
A live performance is a unique and inimitable experience that can evoke passions and create memories that last a lifetime. One of the main reasons why AI cannot replace the performative aspect of the music industry is because it lacks the ability to convey emotions in the same way that humans can. While AI-generated music may be technically flawless, it often lacks the depth and nuance that come with human expression. The interactive nature of live performances allows artists to connect with their fans. During each performance, artists read the audience’s reactions and adjust their performance accordingly. This requires a great deal of intuition as each audience is different and has varying expectations.
Improvisation and Adaptability
Another crucial aspect of live performances is the element of improvisation. While AI can generate music based on predefined rules and patterns, it cannot replicate the spontaneity and creativity that results in improvisation. Live performances allow artists to experiment with their music, creating unique and personalized experiences for their audiences. This ability to adapt and respond to the moment is what makes live performances so exciting and exclusive. Additionally, the visual aspect of live performances also plays a significant role in creating an immersive experience for the audience. While AI-generated music may be impressive, it cannot replicate the visual spectacle that comes with live performances and makes it a truly immersive experience for audiences.
Further, in deeply traditional music styles like Carnatic music, it is nearly impossible for AI to replicate the flow and style of expression. One critical aspect of Carnatic music is manodharma, or improvised singing. It is the ability to create new music on the spot, based on the musician’s creativity, mood and audience profile. Manodharma requires a deep understanding of the ragas and talas, as well as the ability to express emotions and moods through music. Although AI can generate music using a set of rules, it cannot improvise like human musicians because it lacks the ability to understand the audience’s emotions. Furthermore, Carnatic music is not just about playing the right notes; it is about creating rasa (evoking the same aesthetic essence/feeling in the audience that the performer is feeling). A human musician can convey feelings of joy, sorrow, and devotion through his/her music. AI, on the other hand, is still limited in its ability to understand and express emotions like humans. It can generate music that sounds pleasing to the ear, but it cannot evoke the same emotional response as human musicians.
One example of an AI-generated music project is “Daddy’s Car,” a song created by Flow Machines, a research project funded by the European Research Council. Flow Machines is a program that uses algorithms to analyze vast amounts of musical data and generate original music based on the patterns and styles detected in the data. “Daddy’s Car” was created by analyzing a large dataset of Beatles songs, with the goal of generating a new song that sounded like it could have been written by the iconic band. The resulting song was then performed by a human singer and band, with the AI-generated melody and lyrics serving as the foundation of the composition. While the technical feat of creating an AI-generated song that sounds like the Beatles is impressive, the final product was met with disapproval from both artists and critics. Many felt that the song lacked the depth and authenticity of real Beatles’ songs, and that the melody and lyrics felt generic and lacking in originality. Some critics also pointed out that the song relied too heavily on the algorithmic analysis of existing music and did not truly capture the essence of the Beatles’ creative process, which involved a combination of personal experiences, cultural context, experimentation, and artistic vision. Moreover, some listeners found the concept of AI-generated music to be disconcerting, with concerns about the potential loss of human creativity and the impact on the music industry and employment opportunities for human musicians. While “Daddy’s Car” may have been a technical feat in AI-generated music, it largely failed to connect with audiences at a deeper emotional level, thus highlighting the limitations of AI in replicating the complexities and nuances of human music creation.
Conclusion
To sum up, rather than fearing that AI will take away work, it will be more prudent to apply AI to augment human work and further stimulate innovation and improvements in music production. AI can aid human work in the music industry through the use of AI-powered software and tools that can analyze and provide musicians with insights into the technical aspects of their music such as tempo, melody, and rhythm. This can help musicians improve their skills and make more informed decisions while composing. AI-powered tools can also be used to automate repetitive tasks such as mixing and mastering, allowing musicians to focus on more creative tasks. However, it is important to recognize that AI is a tool that is only as good as the data it is trained on and the algorithms it uses, and it should be seen as a tool to support human creativity, rather than a replacement for human musicians.
In conclusion, while AI can perform certain tasks with remarkable speed and accuracy, it is crucial to recognize that it is a tool created and controlled by humans. Creativity is an invaluable and unique aspect that sets apart humans from other living beings. Human creativity is driven by a deep understanding of the world around us, including our own experiences and those of others. AI hasn’t evolved in this world by living with other people, sharing tears and laughter, caring, empathizing and most of all understanding the needs, moods and emotions of fellow humans. AIs may mimic a lot of things but they can’t create like humans. As we navigate the future of work in the age of AI, it is imperative to acknowledge and preserve the invaluable uniqueness of human creativity in shaping our culture, society, and humanity as a whole.
Bio:
Shreyas Balasubramanian is an undergraduate student from Ashoka University currently pursuing an Economics and Finance degree. His primary areas of interest are Capital Markets, Financial Analysis and AI Revolution.
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