A New Era in Songwriting Brian May, the legendary Queen guitarist and astrophysicist, has offered a compelling perspective on the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in music creation. In his conversation on the Fret Not podcast, May expressed his belief that 2023 might be the last year where we can confidently identify a song as being written by a human. This statement comes against the backdrop of the rapid integration of AI in music production, signaling a transformative period in the industry.

Blurring Lines between AI and Human Creativity The rise of AI-generated songs, like the viral TikTok hit “Heart on My Sleeve,” which mimicked the styles of Drake and The Weeknd, exemplifies this shift. Such creations are stirring debates in the music community, with discussions even reaching the Grammy Awards’ eligibility criteria. May acknowledged the concerns of writers and artists regarding AI’s ability to replicate and potentially plagiarize human creativity. Yet, he also highlighted the inherent nature of inspiration in the creative process, suggesting that all art forms are influenced by external sources to some extent.

AI’s Expanding Horizon: Beyond Composition Looking ahead, May envisions a future where AI’s role extends from composing music to performing it, potentially leading to a scenario where AI could engage with its creations emotionally. This futuristic outlook suggests a radical change in how we perceive and interact with music.

Contemporary Relevance and Debates May’s recent work with Queen, including the reissue of “Machines (Back to Humans),” resonates with the current discourse on AI. Other musicians, such as the electronic duo Disclosure and The Beatles, are also experimenting with AI in music production. Meanwhile, the Recording Academy’s decision to allow AI-assisted music in the Grammy Awards, albeit with restrictions, indicates a growing acceptance of this technology in the industry.

Artistic Integrity and AI: A Dichotomy Legendary rocker Nick Cave has voiced a contrasting view, criticizing the use of tools like ChatGPT in songwriting. Cave argues that relying on AI for creative processes erodes the soul and spirit of humanity, underlining the importance of creative struggle and human connection in art.

As AI continues to make inroads into music, it presents both exciting possibilities and profound questions about the future of creativity, artistic integrity, and the essence of human expression in art.

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SOURCE: 2023 Will Be the ‘Last Year You’ll Know A Song Was Written by a Human’: Queen Guitarist – Decrypt