AI symphony; data-driven creativity

Did you know that the term ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI) was coined in 1956 during a conference at Dartmouth College? Early work on AI can be traced back to the 1940s when pioneers like Alan Turing and Norbert Wiener made foundational contributions to the theory of computation and machine intelligence. In the 1950s, researchers like John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, and others laid the groundwork for AI as a distinct field.

And since then AI is a rapidly evolving field, and new research and developments continue to shape its progress. Its impact can be seen in every sector and field including music and art. AI is having a significant impact on the fields of music and art, revolutionising various aspects of creation, production, and consumption.

In art, AI is transforming the creative process, expanding artistic possibilities, and challenging traditional notions of authorship. Did you know that AI algorithms like generative adversarial networks, can create original artwork? AI-generated art also pushes the boundaries of creativity and challenges our perception of what art can be.

The algorithms enable artists to apply the style of one artwork to another. For example, deep learning models can transfer the style of a famous painting onto a photograph, creating a hybrid image that combines the characteristics of both. This technique opens up new possibilities for artistic expression and experimentation.

But the question that many are asking is whether the introduction of AI in music and art is good. The introduction of AI in music and art has both positive and negative implications, a singer and alumnus of Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC), Jalandhar opined.

Raghav Kapoor, who recently passed out of AIMETC and has been singing professionally for the last five years based out of Mumbai, says that AI in music is great for those who have just started to learn music or want to make music sitting at home.

“For music stalwarts like AR Rahman, AI in music has no place. Artists like him are known for their creativity. Music comes from emotions and moods. Probably the only way AI can help is in the process of mixing and mastering. When all the instruments and vocals are recorded, they have to be in balance to make them compatible when we hear them with headphones. The frequencies need to be balanced and tuned with the vocal. Usually, this is done by carefully listening to the music and pinpointing the exact place where more base is required. This is where AI can help; it will let you know the highs and lows,” Kapoor explained, who just completed a solo performance in Shirdi.

He tells you that having worked with music maestros like Kailash Kher, and Anoop Jalota and shared the stage with the likes of Hariharan sahib, and worked in studios like Discovery and National Geographic, he has found very little use of technology in music.

“Music is all about moods, emotions, and feelings. This is something that AI won’t be able to pick up. For example, if I am singing a happy song and singing one word with sadness, it will be tough for AI to pick up the emotions. AI won’t be able to suggest what mood to set or instruments to us. This can only be done manually. This kind of complicated compositions are commonly found in AR Rahman’s and Adnan Sami’s sahib’s compositions where AI has little role to play,” Kapoor said but added that there are some areas where AI is beneficial.

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AI can help in the process of mixing and mastering. When all the instruments and vocals are recorded, they have to be in balance to make them compatible when we hear them with headphones. AI can help; it will let you know the highs and lows

–Raghav Kapoor, Professional Singer & alumnus of Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus

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Why introduce AI in music and art

The introduction of AI in music and art offers several compelling reasons and potential benefits.

Exploration and Innovation: AI enables the exploration of novel aesthetics, styles, and compositions that may not have been previously considered. AI algorithms can generate unique ideas, leading to artistic innovation and pushing the boundaries of traditional artistic practices.

Efficiency and productivity: AI-powered tools automate certain repetitive or time-consuming tasks, freeing up artists’ time and energy. This allows creators to focus more on the artistic and conceptual aspects of their work, enhancing productivity and enabling them to realise their ideas more efficiently.

Collaboration and inspiration: AI can act as a collaborator and a source of inspiration for artists. It can generate ideas, provide suggestions, or assist in the exploration of different artistic directions. This collaboration between humans and machines can lead to unique and unexpected outcomes, fostering a symbiotic relationship between artists and AI algorithms.

Preservation and restoration: AI plays a crucial role in the preservation and restoration of historical music recordings or artworks. By analysing and processing digital scans or data, AI algorithms can help conserve cultural heritage, restore damaged or deteriorated pieces, and ensure their longevity for future generations.

Analytical insights: AI algorithms can analyse large volumes of data related to music and art consumption, user preferences, and market trends. These insights provide valuable information to artists, marketers, and industry professionals, helping them make data-driven decisions, understand audience behaviour, and identify emerging trends.

AI is also being used by artists when it comes to chords. Each song has a chord pattern that we follow. Let’s take an example. I take a song from C major chord and put it in AI and give instructions to give out happy tunes. It will churn out some tunes based on it. This is a perfect solution for musicians who are starting in the field or those who sometimes get stuck due to lack of ideas,” Kapoor said in conclusion.