The integration between music and artificial intelligence was initiated over 60 years ago. Those were the days of algorithmic AI compositions helped rustic technology to take off in the music industry for the first time. However, artificial technology is redefining the music industry and various businesses related to it across the world. AI is shifting businesses’ ideas and paving the way for innovation of the future.
A new industry is gradually taking shape that is built around different services supported by AI. They offer creating, analyzing, and processing of music.
The following are some of those applications and services that have emerged over the past few years:
Flow Machines by Sony CSL
This project aims at achieving augmented creativity in music. The goal is to develop a system that will generate autonomous music or in association with human musicians. The firm says that their ideas will covert musical styles into an object that can be read and processed by the AI.
Amper Music
It is a cloud-based platform. It simplifies the process of creating music for video games or movies. The AI helps in generating algorithms that help in the creation of music across various genres and styles. Their AI music tool can perform, produce, and compose custom-tailored music for content. Creators can choose a genre, mood, style, length, etc. depending on their requirements. It is best for those who lack music knowledge.
Google Magenta
It is one of the best in the scope of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. The project, initiated by Google explores the different roles of machine learning in music composition. Researchers from the Google Brain team are the masterminds behind the project. It has been since used to develop and generate songs, drawings, images, etc. It also looks into the scopes of building smart tools that can be used by artists to compose their models.
Aiva
Aiva is a soundtrack=producing AI platform. Composers can create new or make changes to their work on this platform. The team is also working on the development of an AI script that is capable of composing emotional soundtracks for use in movies, advertisements, video games, etc. One can create music from scratch with Aiva. Production is another skill that comes with the platform. It makes producing for music a lot easier as one does not need music licensing for the release of their content.
Watson Beat
Developed by IBM, this project is based on mathematic conversions that compose melodies by imitating the rules of music, theoretically. You can find the open-source code for Watson Beat on GitHub. It uses two machine learning methods to create various compositions; reinforcement and a DBN or a Deep Belief Network.
Spotify
One of the most popular music streaming services out there with an endless library of songs, podcasts, and albums, Spotify is an example of one of the most practical approaches to this music and AI integration. Their intelligent playlists are called ‘Discover Weekly’. These playlists are customized as per every user and present new music based on their musical habits. They use the collaborative filtering method to accumulate data from the user’s listening behavior. After that, they do a comparative analysis with many other data from users worldwide. The information helps in improving playlist recommendations that suggest new music to the listeners.
Brain. FM
This application encourages relaxation, focus, and rest with its ambient and atmospheric music. The web and mobile app is created by a team of musicians, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The AI integrated with their music engine arranges compositions, adds features such as acoustic, etc. that enable listeners to calm their mental states during 15 minutes. The theory is that music can make the brain more productive. Music is generated through AI that makes the mind more focused, relaxed, and productive. For anyone who has stressful jobs or a tough time falling asleep or concentrating, this application might work wonders.
Shazam
It one of the earliest services used by customers that integrates AI. Since 2018, it is owned by Apple. The technology hears and identifies songs within seconds. It takes the ‘digital fingerprint’ of the song. It matches the same with its huge song library and then provides the information to the user. Shazam can tell you which song is playing within seconds. The AI algorithm helps in searching for the track name, artist, lyrics, video, the biography of the artist, tickets, and new recommendations. One may also buy or listen to music through partner services.
What the future holds for AI in music
- There is a rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence in music, especially during the past few years. The developments and the various technologies in this area are bringing about significant change and towards a future transformation.
- AI in music also has its risks. It may alter the complete experience of listening to music that we know of today. Also, it may be a risk for composers and artists who work independently and relentlessly to compose their music. If an AI-enabled application can achieve the same and that too within a lot fewer expenses, it jeopardizes the sustainability of artists.
- It is also predicted that with the advent of AI, jobs done by songwriters and producers may also be augmented. According to a recent survey, AI algorithms and machines may crease 133 million new roles which will result in the displacement of 75 million jobs by the end of 2022. By 2030, about 70% of all companies will implement at least one technology in their platform. This is an important glimpse into the future of music.
- AI is evolving at a brilliant pace and making way for an environment where man and AI can work together for the same goals. The opportunities will generate music fast and also make it an essential part of a musician’s daily life. Many believe that this will make music and composition a lot more accessible so that a greater stream of audiences can be a part of this new music industry.
As per experts and the growing implementation of artificial intelligence in music, the following two possibilities may imitate the future in the times to come:
- There will be online services that will offer the creation of an entire music album that can be digitally bought as well. After making a purchase, the AI will search for all public information about the customer online, analyze the same and then determine their music taste. Then they will generate music based on your style and liking. This is nothing short of inspirational creativity fed right into the customer and that too personalized to a significant depth. This is something significant in the scope of AI-integrated music.
- Another scenario can be where someone buys a ticket to an upcoming AI concert. This service can be availed by connecting their ticket service through social media. When one buys a ticket, the programs or the concert remain unknown. After purchase, the AI will analyze public social profiles and the information on them for everyone who has bought tickets. All concertgoers are divided into interest groups. The AI generates music that is appropriate for each of these groups. The concert will have different performing stages to cater to the satisfaction of everyone. The experience will be truly amazing and customized based on your liking and preferences. This will also encourage social connections. The idea is to build a community that will change the way the scope of music was perceived for so long.
Conclusion
There is no debate that artificial intelligence and music can pave the way for extravagant innovation and technology in the years to come. Although the concept started with rudimentary experiments almost 60 years ago, today, the scenario seems to be quite different. Many argue that AI would change the essence of music and compose. It may also put various artists and musicians out of jobs. Although all these might be true, AI in music has more pros than cons. Technology in music is not new. Technology in music has helped shape the scopes of engineering and production to new levels assuring accuracy, time-saving, and much more. Hence, artificial intelligence is just another step into the future where innovation and technology rule every aspect of life. Admit it, we all get a kick out of using our daily music application, Spotify. It also runs on AI and we seem to have no problem.
It is just that by opening our acceptance to new things, we not only make processes easier but also contribute to the unanimous building of communities across the globe. The future of music can be of use to you personally given the limitless potential it has. From customizing music to helping you relax and focus, AI in music comes of many use to the common mass as well. The future looks like something we read in an Isaac Asimov book. It is new and exciting and going with the winds of change may land us somewhere good.