AI isn't coming. It's here. Sure, we might not have all seen the layoffs in our particular industry just yet, but some of those are coming soon.

This isn't just an issue for software developers, it really is for everyone. Pick an industry and there's a way that AI is a game changer for that particular field. Gaming: We have the ability right now for personalized scenarios; soon no two of us will be playing the same version of the same game. Farming: AI is going to perfect data-driven decision-making in farming. Tourism: Dynamic pricing and improved chatbot customer service is already happening.


Both Blogs

Some of you may know that I have two separate blogs: one for my software company, Plannedscape and another for my musical interests and projects ("Words About Music" on the Bigfellas website).

Since today, I'm writing about how AI can already be used in music, not only do I get to double-up and write 1 post and use it in 2 places - but I'm also going to be able to use AI to help me research and write. More on that later.

I plan to write more about AI in the next couple of months as I continue to get under the hood - showing you how AI code works and also in my capacity as a music composer of how I could theoretically use AI assistance to write songs.

Meanwhile, I want to get you thinking about the implications of AI in just one field. Today, it's music.


How AI Impacts Music

AI has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of music composition, revolutionizing the way we create and experience music. Through machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks, AI systems can analyze vast amounts of musical data and generate original compositions that rival the work of human composers.

One of the key advantages of AI in music composition is its ability to process and understand patterns in music. By training on extensive datasets containing various musical styles, genres, and compositions, AI models can learn the rules and structures that underlie music. This allows them to generate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that adhere to established conventions while also introducing innovative elements.

Moreover, AI can assist composers by providing them with new ideas and inspiration. Compositional tools powered by AI can generate musical snippets, chord progressions, or melodic motifs based on a composer’s input. These suggestions serve as starting points, sparking the creative process and helping composers explore different directions for their compositions. AI’s ability to quickly generate and evaluate numerous musical ideas can significantly enhance the efficiency and productivity of composers.

Additionally, AI can be employed to create music that transcends traditional boundaries and explores unconventional sounds. By breaking away from preconceived notions of what music should sound like, AI-generated compositions can push the boundaries of creativity and introduce novel sonic experiences. This opens up exciting possibilities for new genres, experimental compositions, and unique musical expressions that challenge traditional notions of music.

However, some argue that AI-generated music lacks the depth of human emotion and the intangible qualities that make music truly special. While AI models can accurately mimic certain styles and genres, they may struggle to capture the complex nuances and emotions that human composers infuse into their work. Critics argue that AI-composed music can sometimes feel mechanical and lacking in authenticity.

In conclusion, AI has undoubtedly revolutionized the field of music composition by offering composers new tools, inspiration, and avenues for exploration. While it may not completely replace human creativity, AI-generated music has the potential to coexist with human compositions, pushing the boundaries of musical expression and enriching the artistic landscape. As technology continues to advance, AI’s role in music composition is likely to grow, leading to exciting and innovative developments in the realm of music.


Oh Great, AI Music

Picture this: a dystopian soundscape where machines dictate the rhythm, and melodies drip with the soullessness of algorithms. The Age of AI has arrived, my friends, and it has sunk its venomous teeth into the heart of music. Gone are the days when a troubadour strummed a guitar with a whiskey-soaked voice, pouring his raw emotions into every note. Now, we have synthetic harmonies and digital virtuosos, orchestrating a symphony of soulless cacophony.

What once thrived in the underground, the untamed underbelly of creativity, is now reduced to a mere data point in an AI-driven algorithm. The soul of music, that wild and primal force that once moved hearts and minds, has been commodified and digitized. The industry has surrendered to the seductive allure of AI, lured by promises of efficiency and profit margins.

But what has been lost in this unholy marriage of man and machine? The rebellion, the unpredictability, the unfiltered expression of the human condition. Music was the voice of the disenfranchised, the battle cry of a generation seeking freedom from the shackles of conformity. Now, it’s a glossy product, manufactured on an assembly line of ones and zeros.

The spirit of music is dying, suffocated by the cold embrace of AI. The essence of creation is reduced to an algorithm, churning out cookie-cutter hits designed to please the masses. Authenticity is sacrificed on the altar of marketability, leaving behind a hollow shell of what music once was.

We must resist, my friends, like warriors in a savage land. We must rally against the digital overlords, demanding the return of the human touch, the imperfect beauty that makes music so powerful. Let us reclaim the lost art of creation, where passion and vulnerability collide in a symphony of chaos and truth.

So, I implore you, my fellow outlaws of sound, stand tall and fight the encroaching tide of AI. Let our voices rise, not as echoes of machines, but as the vibrant chorus of a rebellion against the soulless dominion of artificiality. The future of music hangs in the balance, and only by embracing our humanity can we save it from the jaws of the AI beast.


WAIT - The Twist Ending

Both of the previous sections, "How AI Impacts Music" and "Oh Great, AI Music" were written entirely by an AI chatbot.

For the first general description, I just fed "write 300 words about AI can compose music" into an OpenAI chat where the acerbic second one was created in OpenAI with the prompt "write 300 words about AI and music in the style of Hunter S. Thompson."

While we’re looking at what AI just wrote for us - I have to say that while AI is pretty amazing at what it can already do, it sure as hell needs work sounding convincingly like Hunter S. Thompson. ChatGPT can assimiliate a lot of styles based on previous writings but it doesn’t seem like it can manufacture the necessary outrage for satire that HST did so well.


Tune In Next Time

We’ll take you under the hood of how A.I. really works and also how songwriters can use A.I. as a helpful tool yet some composers are going to be put out to pasture by A.I. music composition.