Is Google’s new Music LM generative AI system replacing musicians?

Google’s new Music LM generative AI system has created quite a stir in the music industry. Although the Music LM has not yet been released due to copyright issues, it serves as a glimpse into the future of using AI to generate music from text descriptions. Some people believe that this new technology will replace musicians, but the reality is much more complex.

Music LM is a language model developed by Google that uses deep learning algorithms to generate music. The AI system is trained on a large dataset of musical scores and audio recordings, and it can generate a wide range of styles, from classical to pop. It can even generate new variations on existing pieces. The technology behind Music LM is based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), a type of deep learning algorithm capable of creating new and unique outputs based on the data it has been trained on.

Based on text descriptions, Music LM can automatically create creative music tracks with various instruments, genres, and concepts because it is built on a neural network and trained on a big music data set with over 280,000 hours of music. If an AI ingests all the musical patterns and sound frequencies exposed, it will try to emulate a human brain. Like a magic wand, Music LM can produce higher fidelity audio more precisely, and you can even hum a song to teach the AI algorithm to find the right beat you’re looking for. To hear this kind of technology, such as Digital Butterflies, one merely needs to search for AI-generated Carti music on YouTube.

Also, a composer could use Music LM to generate a new melody that they can refine and develop into a whole piece. A music producer could use the system to generate new ideas for a track or quickly generate a rough demo of a new song. Music LM could also be used to create new music for film and video games or generate personalized playlists for streaming services like Spotify.

Music LM is not a replacement for human musicians despite its impressive capabilities. While it can generate new pieces of music, it lacks the emotional depth and expression that only human musicians can bring to a piece. It cannot improvise and make real-time decisions based on the listener’s reactions. These skills are essential for creating great music; an AI system cannot replicate them.

Another important factor to consider is that Music LM is still in its early stages of development. While the system has already generated some impressive pieces of music, it is not yet at a level where it can fully replace human musicians. It still has many limitations, and it will likely be several years before it can generate truly innovative and groundbreaking music.

So, what role will Music LM play in the music industry in the future? The system will likely become an important tool for musicians, allowing them to generate new ideas and inspiration and produce rough demos of new songs. However, it is unlikely that Music LM will ever replace human musicians entirely. Instead, it will likely be seen as a tool that can be used to augment and enhance the creative process, not as a replacement for it.

Musicians worldwide are grappling with AI’s impacts on their profession. As such, there is a need to strengthen legislation regarding the ownership of musicians’ music and to understand better how AI algorithms should be regulated and utilized in the music industry.

As AI leaders such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI continue to push the boundaries in various industries, we must take a step back and consider the kind of world we want to create and pass on to future generations.

For executives in the music industry, including board directors, CEOs, and C-level executives, it is crucial to educate themselves on AI and its potential long-term effects on the industry. It will enable them to shape the future they want to protect, as both human intelligence and musical talent have immense value. It is essential to recognize that we are rapidly turning this precious creative essence into digital data, which will significantly impact musicians’ rights and entitlements.