Abstract
Conversations around Artificial Intelligence and music have been happening since the advent of computing, but with Generative AI (GenAI), such tools are becoming more widespread, accessible, and powerful. One can now generate a song in minutes with a GenAI tool like Suno, which its creators proudly state, “No instrument needed, just imagination. From your mind to music.” GenAI tools like this are poised to influence many aspects of popular music creation and consumption. This paper examines areas where GenAI and popular music intersect, with examples and possible trajectories. Is the future of popular music one that is more democratic or mundane? And how much power will GenAI technology companies have in this future? Additional questions arise regarding the relationship between GenAI and popular music. How does GenAI influence the creative process in popular music, and what implications does it hold for artists? And what cultural contexts emerge from integrating GenAI into music production and consumption? By exploring these questions, this paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of the role of GenAI in shaping contemporary culture and popular music.
Presenters
Kristopher OhlendorfProfessor, Interactive Media, Faculty of Media and Creative Arts, Humber College, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2024 Special Focus—Images and Imaginaries of Artificial Intelligence
KEYWORDS
Generative AI, Popular Music, Culture
