Why humans will never be replaced in AI music
In times of uncertainty, people look to artists to make sense of a world that is changing faster than many of us can comprehend. Artists, in turn, create pieces that explain, question, rage or soothe, letting the audience know that we are not alone and this too shall pass.
For the first time in history, however, some musicians creating art aren’t humans but Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs that have been trained and designed to replicate human composers, musicians, and singers.
Is AI music creation a good or a bad thing?
Will AI replace the musicians who have dedicated their lives to creating genuine art that is based on human emotions and experiences? And if AI can’t feel, how will it create empathy in its responses?
The importance of being open-minded
As with everything in life, stating that AI is amazing or terrible is overly simplistic. AI offers a wide range of benefits for artists, opening new creative possibilities and innovative tools. Forward-thinking musicians are actively exploring AI's capabilities to understand how it can complement their artistry, rather than compete with it.
One such innovative artist is musician and Maison Mercury Jones creative director Ilā. Ilā is not only experimenting with AI but is also adopting a growth mindset about emerging tech and is open to the myriad of ways it can be harnessed to help create art.
Ilā was recently re-elected to the senate of the Ivors Academy, the UK’s leading voice for songwriters and composers. The not-for-profit Academy protects the rights of musicians, and as a Senator Ilā will dedicate their time to fighting for rights in the AI space.
Despite collaborating with the world’s first AI humanoid robot performance artist Ai-Da, Ilā is particular about the types of AI they will use in their work.
“The only AI tools that interest me are the ones where I provide the input and they provide the output,” says Ilā.
How AI can inspire
Ilā is exploring AI’s possibilities for exploring new combinations of sounds. With access to infinite databases of every sound ever recorded, AI tools allow musicians and producers to explore different genres, tempos and styles.
Musicians and composers also experiment with AI for inspiration, finding new ideas and stimuli in the most random places.
Ila found this magic in AI when collaborating with fellow musician Imogen Heap. Together they created Murmur, a piece from Ila’s film of the same name. Murmur’s video is a mind-bending, mesmerising, immersive piece crafted using AI techniques that would be impossible to replicate without such technology.
“It’s a piece of music I'm really proud of,” says Ilā.
“Almost everything you hear, aside from maybe the kick drum, comes from this AI hybrid of mine and Imogen's voices. I fell in love with the airy, flute-like textures, dotted into grains and stretched out, taking on a playful rhythmic quality - like fractals, revealing more detail as you zoom in.
“When I brought them to Imogen, we explored both their playfulness and these choral moments of stillness. I can already feel a change in my own voice since Murmur. I’ve realised I can do things I couldn’t before through mimicking and playing with my ‘other’.”
A new take
In a nod to the tech used, Imogen is credited as ai.mogen, a persona representing all AI-generated manifestations of Imogen Heap’s likeness, with her oversight and approval.
Imogen agreed that Murmur is a unique track.
“It’s quite playful and feels very free,” says Imogen.
“Creating this mash-up of our voices was really fun. I enjoyed playing with the sounds and seeing where they led, almost as if there was a third collaborator guiding us. [The AI] felt instinctual, like a playful child taking us wherever felt right. There were all these sounds that we couldn’t physically create, yet they originated from our voices... I loved the freedom, almost the frivolity, of it."
AI tools used included Differentiable Digital Signal Processing (DDSP) models of Ila’s and Imogen’s voices trained by artist Portrait XO.
Using AI for vision
The video for Murmur was made using hybrid techniques of static images of Imogen and Ila alongside artificially created organic, nature-inspired scenes.
In recognition of the inspiring images in the video for Murmur, Ila and Imogen will donate 20% of their publishing rights to Earthpercent, the music industry's climate foundation. The not-for-profit works with climate scientists, researchers, policymakers and activists to ensure that donations make an impact.
Humans: very much still needed
A track like Murmur could not exist without the guiding hands of talented, experienced human writers, producers, sound engineers, musicians, singers, and composers.
Using AI for sonic branding requires the same human skills and passion used in creating any art that requires new and innovative tech. Dumping terrible inputs into any AI program and expecting a masterpiece is not going to happen.
AI soundscapes and art rely on people who understand that the input is at the heart of all tech-generated art. Knowing how and why is part instinct, part art and a big serving of empathy. Until tech comes with a heartbeat, humans will always be required to create meaningful and unique AI music.
At Maison Mercury Jones, we are pioneers in embracing differences and creating uniqueness. We create bespoke music and sonic branding for everyone from household name companies to up-and-coming brands. Discover how we can help your brand stand out.