The dangers of artificial intelligence have long been trumpeted, with dire warnings of job losses due to automation, increased social surveillance, and ultimately, self-aware AI that could bring about the end of humanity.
When it comes to music, artists have been quick to warn that their livelihoods are at risk as companies explore the possibility of training AI models to replace real musicians with musicians who don’t have to pay royalties.
“Some platforms and developers are using AI to stifle creativity and undermine artists, songwriters, musicians and rights holders,” read the open letter signed last month by The Cure’s Robert Smith, REM, Peter Frampton and others. “Used irresponsibly, AI poses a real threat to our ability to protect our privacy, our identities, our music and our lives.”
If you’re looking for an example of the kind of thing they’re talking about, look no further. Dip my nipples in my boss’s coffeeis an AI-generated single produced by AI-generated band Cubicle Riot. It’s vibrant Sunset Strip glam rock that sounds like it was released in 1984. Imagine Ratt’s Stephen Pearcy fronting Poison. The song was produced by YouTuber Duck Fuss, who claims to deliver a “100% serious AI track.”
Dip my nipples in my boss’s coffee And then I want to let the pig breathe. clearly do not have I’m 100% serious. Of course, it’s possible that it’s not generated by an AI at all, but by real-life musicians pretending to be AI, but given the state of the internet in 2024, that’s just as likely.
But taken at face value, today’s AI-generated music is the worst it’s ever been, and it’s only a matter of time before AI is able to generate music that’s nearly indistinguishable from Faster Pussycat or the Bullet Boys. And that should concern us all.