AI Powered Hyper-Personalisation and the Infinite Creative Landscape
In the city of San Francisco, just a decade from now, the air was alive with possibility as the sun dipped below the horizon. Harminah, a young woman with dark hair and soft features, strolled down the bustling streets, her heartbeat in sync with the pulse of the city. For her, the allure of music lay in the seamless fusion of past and present, of legendary voices melded with contemporary flair.
As she navigated the vibrant neon-filled streets, she lifted her sleek cyberset to her temple and activated her personalised AI, named Lyrica. The AI was her devoted companion, designed to craft music tailored to Harminah’s tastes and desires. “Lyrica, please create something truly unique,” she whispered. “Combine the sultry vocals of Marilyn Monroe with a melody akin to Taylor Swift’s ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.’”
Lyrica hummed melodiously, and within moments, a symphony of sound filled Harminah’s consciousness. The music was transmitted directly through her cyberset, allowing her to experience the harmonies and melodies in an intimate and personal way in detail not possible through normal ear based headphones. Marilyn’s velvety voice crooned, soaring over a catchy, guitar-driven tune reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s pop anthem. Harminah’s request had come to life, and she revelled in the astonishing hybrid of sound that had been fashioned solely for her.
As the song played on, Harminah couldn’t help but dance through the lively streets, her laughter mingling with the music only she could hear. Passersby paused to watch her, intrigued by the young woman who appeared to dance to a rhythm all her own.
This was the world in which Harminah lived, a world where people experienced music in a profoundly personal and unique way. Boundaries of time and genre had been transcended, and the potential for one-of-a-kind, hyper-personalised creations was the new norm. As the song faded, Harminah revelled in the knowledge that she belonged to a time and place where everyone could indulge in the music of their heart’s desire, tailor-made for each individual’s taste.
Endless Possibilities
As the AI-driven music movement gains momentum, we can look at the story I just shared, a young woman living in a world where hyper-personalised music is the norm. In this near-future scenario, music lovers can effortlessly create their own unique soundscapes by simply sharing their preferences with an AI companion. These AI-driven artists can produce entirely original compositions tailored to each individual’s unique tastes.
Harminah’s experience demonstrates the potential for AI-generated music to foster a deep sense of connection and joy, both on a personal and communal level. In her world, music transcends traditional genre boundaries, as listeners are empowered to generate new tracks that meld elements from their favourite artists, styles, and eras. These compositions are entirely unique to each individual, created in the same way we might describe an image to Midjourney to create a painting merging the style of our favourite painters.
It’s important to recognise the potential benefits and challenges that come with the advent of AI-generated music. For artists, this shift will require adapting to new methods of collaboration, as their work serves as a creative foundation for others to explore and expand upon. Traditional albums and singles may become less prominent, as fans increasingly turn to bespoke, AI-generated tracks that cater to their every whim.
For listeners, the promise of AI-driven music lies in the ability to forge entirely new connections with the art form. With the power to customise compositions at their fingertips, fans can immerse themselves in an ever-changing soundscape, tailored specifically to their tastes and desires.
AI-generated compositions are already making their mark in today’s music scene. From models trained on the vocal stylings of Eminem and Kanye West, to ground-breaking collaborations between artists and their AI counterparts, we’re witnessing the birth of an entirely new genre that blurs the line between human creativity and machine learning indistinguishable to the human ear.
Take, for example, the AI models that have been trained on the voices and musical styles of rap icons Eminem and Kanye West that turn any set of lyrics or recorded voice into faultless works that could be mistaken for real tracks — entirely new compositions that capture the essence of the original artists that explore uncharted creative territory. The result is a fascinating blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless artistry that paves the way for the future of music.
Meanwhile, singer Holly Herndon has taken AI-driven music to new heights by creating an AI clone of her own voice. This move empowers musicians and fans alike to use her virtual vocals in their own creations, further pushing the boundaries of musical expression. By sharing her AI-generated voice with the world, Herndon not only opens the door to infinite collaborative possibilities but also raises thought-provoking questions about the implications of this technology on the concept of artistic ownership.
Canadian electro-pop artist Grimes is also embracing the AI music revolution. In a recent tweet, she announced her willingness to “split 50% royalties” with anyone who uses her voice in a “successful AI” song. This bold move encourages others to harness the power of artificial intelligence and create their own unique compositions with Grimes’ distinctive vocals. By embracing this technology and sharing its rewards, Grimes is helping to usher in a new era of musical collaboration and creativity.
So as AI-generated music continues to gain traction, it’s clear that the future of the music industry will be shaped by this technology. As artists like Holly Herndon and Grimes continue to explore the possibilities of AI-driven compositions, we can expect to see an increasing number of innovative and thought-provoking tracks that challenge our preconceived notions of artistry and creativity.
In this brave new world of music, the only limit is our imagination.
