Artificial Intelligence in Music: The Rise of Creative Possibilities

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the music industry, bringing new possibilities and creative avenues for artists. One such artist, Glorb, has harnessed the power of AI and generative algorithms to create music that has amassed millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. However, as AI-generated music gains popularity, it raises concerns about copyright and ownership.

Glorb’s success showcases the potential of AI in music production. With nearly one million monthly listeners on Spotify and millions of views on YouTube, Glorb remains anonymous and unaffiliated with Nickelodeon, the source of inspiration for the viral SpongeBob-inspired rap tracks.

As AI tools continue to advance, experts stress the importance of addressing copyright concerns. Tracy Chan, CEO of generative AI music company Splash, suggests finding a balance between creating more content and ensuring original artists are properly rewarded. The incorporation of AI into the creative process is expected to be more widespread among artists as technology progresses.

There have already been instances where AI has been utilized in original music production. For example, Paul McCartney announced The Beatles’ final record, “Now and Then,” which utilized AI technology to extract the voice of the late John Lennon. Singer Grimes also released elf.tech, a platform where artists can use an AI replication of her voice in their music, with royalties going to Grimes.

However, AI-generated music has also sparked concerns. An artist known as Ghostwriter went viral for a track that used AI voice replications of rapper Drake and singer The Weeknd. The song was quickly taken down from platforms due to copyright claims made by Universal Music Group (UMG), which strongly opposes unauthorized AI use of its copyrighted music.

One challenge lies in the detection and removal of AI music on streaming platforms. Traditional music can be likened to a fingerprint, allowing platforms to identify and address potential copyright infringement. However, AI-generated music lacks this identifying feature, making it more difficult to track and remove from platforms.

The prevalence of AI-generated music remains uncertain since there are limited tools available to track its presence on various platforms. However, as AI music gains cultural prominence, industry stakeholders and rights holders are likely to take action against platforms hosting unauthorized AI music.