The rise of AI in music challenges traditional industry norms and intellectual property rights.
The world of music is undergoing a seismic shift. Artificial Intelligence (AI) steadily gains traction, and this change is palpable. The rise of AI-generated music not only introduces a groundbreaking method of music creation but also beckons a debate on its legitimacy in the wider music industry.
The AI Tidal Wave and Its Impact
Many industries have felt the influence of AI. But its ripple effect is particularly significant in the creative domains, primarily due to concerns about intellectual property. The music industry is no exception. Whether it’s renowned artists, influential record labels, or even esteemed platforms like YouTube and the Grammys, AI’s footprint is undeniable.
Musixy, a platform dedicated to AI-generated music, epitomizes this change. Launching on September 14, this unique venture has positioned itself as a music streaming platform, a label, and a marketplace for AI-exclusive music. By giving AI-produced tracks their unique platform, Musixy aspires to be the AI music counterpart to platforms like Spotify, especially for tracks that other platforms ban.
In the past year, major streaming services like Spotify ramped up their surveillance. This scrutiny arose after Universal Music Group urged them to intensify the monitoring of artificial intelligence tracks that could infringe on copyright. Musixy emerges as a response to such demands, offering a dedicated space for AI-generated music.
Musixy’s Vision: A New Frontier for AI Music
Musixy’s ambition doesn’t end at becoming a platform for AI music streaming. It aims to redefine the music creation landscape. The efficiency and affordability of AI-generated tracks are key selling points. Notably, Musixy offers the unique capability to produce hits with AI-crafted vocals of prominent artists, both new tracks and covers.
Collaborations like Musixy’s partnership with Ghostwriter are notable examples. Ghostwriter produced a viral AI-created track, “Heart on My Sleeve,” featuring AI vocals resembling artists Drake and the Weeknd. While initial reports suggested that this song was a contender for a Grammy, the Recording Academy later debunked such claims. The reason? It lacked the requisite permissions from artists or labels for using vocal similarities and subsequently faced removal from mainstream streaming platforms.
This incident underscores the ongoing debate in the music industry. Should AI-generated music enjoy the same recognition and accolades as traditional music? Can Ansay, Musixy’s CEO, believes there’s room for both.
Ansay feels there’s no legal ground to “protect” vocal likeness. Such a move could hamper artists with voices resembling more famous counterparts. He proposes a middle ground: Label AI vocal tracks as “unofficial” to dispel potential confusion. Moreover, recent talks between Google and Universal Music Group hint at the possibility of legally utilizing artist likenesses in AI tracks.
When pondering if AI music should stand toe-to-toe with traditional music, Ansay believes there’s potential in both directions. The essence lies in discerning the AI’s role in music creation and its extent. If the differentiation becomes cloudy, he recommends the inception of unique award categories like “AI Song of the Year.” Echoing the Grammys’ mission to acknowledge excellence even in ‘science,’ Ansay’s vision might just pave the way for AI music’s legitimate recognition in the global industry.