Why It Makes Sense for

Musicians to Use AI

AI as a Creative Partner, Not a Threat

Today’s researchers are discovering that AI serves more as an inspiration than a threat. Anyone can now create music in nearly any genre with professional-grade quality using AI. Major industry players have taken notice. In June, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and the Recording Industry Association of America filed lawsuits against popular AI music platforms like Suno and Udio for alleged copyright violations.

Although the outcomes of these lawsuits may take years, they could help protect musicians and record labels. Meanwhile, AI offers musicians more opportunities than challenges. According to Sum Patten, creative director at Glow and advisor to the AI 2030 movement, “Most musicians I know aren’t afraid of being replaced by AI. AI can’t replicate the magic a skilled human can bring.”

 

 

Enhancing Creativity and Productivity

AI-generated songs often lack the human touch, but artists who embrace AI can gain a creative edge. It can inspire ideas and streamline their process. For instance, Suno allows users to type a simple text prompt to generate a full song, album cover, and lyrics in less than 20 seconds. Though the output may not win awards, it showcases how AI can assist with lyrics, melodies, and even visuals.

Users can also customize aspects like vocal style or instruments and add their lyrics. In another example, the user combined ChatGPT-written lyrics with Suno-generated vocals to create a fully formed track.

 

 

Recognizing Limitations and Using AI Wisely

AI-generated music remains easily identifiable. According to Virginia Tech professor Eric Lyon, “The vocals have audible artifacts, and the guitar solo is overly consistent.”

Lyon uses AI for inspiration rather than full compositions. As an experiment, he asked AI to generate a parody song about a nuclear disaster. The result was oddly cheerful, but full of diverse musical ideas. Lyon expanded the AI’s 26-second output into a nuanced six-minute composition, adding human depth.

 

 

Collaborative AI Projects in Music

Under artistic guidance, AI can contribute to impressive works. A collaborative team recently used AI to complete Beethoven’s unfinished 10th Symphony. They trained the system on his previous compositions and curated its outputs. Human musicians selected and refined the most promising ideas.

Ultimately, the team added 40,000 notes to Beethoven’s 200-note draft. Many listeners couldn’t distinguish AI-generated segments from Beethoven’s style.

According to project manager Ahmed Elgammal from Rutgers University, “AI is just a tool in the creative domain. Human artists give it meaning and context.”

 

 

Historical Parallels and Artist Adaptation

Throughout history, musicians have adapted to new technologies. Electronic music and hip-hop, once dismissed as non-traditional, are now mainstream. Patten of AI 2030 said, “There was always a doubting public saying ‘That’s not real music.’ Eventually, the innovation won out.”

Today, AI offers similar transformative potential. While it’s not advanced enough to replace musicians, it’s already enabling new levels of creativity. Veteran DJ Craig Arthur, who’s worked with Ye and others, uses tools like Serato to remix instrumental capabilities that were once exclusive to professionals. He sees AI as an exciting development.

 

 

Looking Ahead

Musicians who stay open-minded and embrace emerging tech stand to benefit the most. Those leading today’s AI experiments are shaping the future of creative expression. Rather than resisting change, they’re influencing how AI can enhance human artistry.

As AI itself might say, musicians should use it not to replace themselves, but to amplify their creativity.