Artificial intelligence will bring a huge change in art and culture

 

In the near future, if not already, an AI tool could conceivably be programmed to generate nearly endless amounts of musical compositions based on general directions or parameters.

 

As an example, a directive like "Create a 12-song playlist in the musical style of Gary Barlow to commemorate the King's Coronation" may soon be sufficient to generate an entire album. Several companies such as AudioShake, OpenAI, Splice, Stability AI, Dessa and BandLab have already made significant progress in this area.

 

The advent of AI-generated music is expected to be a disruptive force in the music industry. However, the good news is that the legal framework required to support it is already in place, at least in the UK. Unlike many other countries, UK copyright law extends protection to computer-generated works. The government has conducted consultations on how to handle AI within the patent and copyright systems, but no significant changes to the law in these areas have been proposed so far. Copyright protection for music encompasses literary works and sound recordings, with both music and lyrics requiring an element of originality, even if they are generated by a computer. Establishing originality in relation to AI-generated music may pose challenges and could eventually be subject to court tests.

 

I apologize for the mistake I made in my previous reply. You are correct that the originality requirement does not apply to sound recordings. The owner of copyright in music or lyrics would typically be the person who composed or wrote them. In the case of computer-generated music, the owner would be assumed to be the individual who provided instructions for the arrangement, i.e., the person who configures or directs the AI system to produce the resulting work. However, the value of this copyright is uncertain since anyone using the same system could generate an unlimited number of similar works. This has the potential to significantly transform the way music is produced and consumed, possibly surpassing the impact of home taping, Napster, or streaming.

 

It is possible that high-profile recording artists may become more engaged in protecting their likenesses in the era of AI-generated music. They may also advocate for stricter legal protections for performing or musical styles and a broader range of interests. As AI-generated music becomes more prevalent, it may be necessary to update copyright laws to address these concerns and provide greater legal protection for the interests of musicians and performers.

 

In 2020, Jay-Z filed DMCA takedown notices towards an nameless YouTuber named Vocal Synthesis, who created deepfakes of Jay-Z reciting William Shakespeare's Hamlet and a Billy Joel song. This type of legal action may become more common in the future as AI-generated content, including deepfakes, becomes more prevalent. As artists and creators seek to protect their intellectual property and likeness, they may increasingly turn to legal avenues to combat unauthorized use or modification of their work. It remains to be seen how the legal system will adapt to address these emerging issues.

 

Heart On My Sleeve, a song that appears to feature the voices of Drake and The Weeknd, has gained over 20 million views and listens across various social media and streaming platforms. However, the song was completely generated by AI and has sparked criticism and calls for the banning of music production using voice cloning on streaming platforms. As the use of AI in music production continues to grow, there will likely be ongoing debates about the ethics and legality of creating and distributing music that utilizes AI-generated voices or deepfakes of established artists. These issues raise important questions about intellectual property, artistic integrity, and the potential impact on the music industry as a whole.

 

As AI-generated music becomes more prevalent, some music enthusiasts, particularly those from Generation X, may find themselves clinging even tighter to their growing collections of vinyl records. Meanwhile, younger generations who have grown up with digital music and may be more open to the use of AI in music production may be left scratching their heads at the appeal of physical media. This highlights the generational divide and changing attitudes towards music consumption and production. However, regardless of how music is produced and consumed, it is clear that it will continue to play a significant role in shaping culture and society for generations to come.