Working in journalism, the question of whether artificial intelligence will replace writers comes up frequently. Frankly, it’s not a serious concern.
The first thing I point out is that “AI” is a remarkably effective marketing term. What’s commonly called AI isn’t intelligence at all-it’s simply advanced predictive text.
These systems aren’t tools for creation, but for repetition. Everything generated relies on existing creative material, often without permission.
that’s why, at present, I don’t see it as a threat to journalism. AI is, though, changing the music landscape, and not necessarily for the better. We’re heading toward a future dominated by robotic tunes.
AI Can mimic, But It Can’t Replicate the Human Connection
There is there’s no doubt whatsoever that AI can now produce technically proficient music. With the right software and input, it can create everything from polished pop songs to yacht rock about fantasy football. It’s opened a world of imitation for those lacking genuine musical talent.
AI “bands” like The Velvet Sundown gained over 1 million Spotify streams last summer before being revealed as entirely computer-generated fiction. AI is also being integrated with human artists, such as ElevenLabs’ The Eleven Album, wich features AI backing tracks for vocalists like Liza Minnelli.
I’m not dismissing the enjoyment some may find in AI music. But, like many innovations, the tech industry’s understanding of why we listen to music is skewed.
first, there’s the emotional connection. A writer can craft lyrics for AI, but it’s not the same as a singer who’s lived those experiences. Have you heard the raw power of isolated vocals by Freddy Mercury or Aretha Franklin? They’re breathtaking and deeply personal. Have you been to a punk show where fans share how a band’s lyrics and music saved their life? That’s a connection a formula can’t replicate.
Many music fans also appreciate the physicality of technique. We’re not captivated by an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo simply because of its speed and precision-we’re amazed by his ability to play it.
Could an AI system play even more notes? Sure… but who would care?
this is even more apparent in live performances. Clicking play on an AI thrash track won’t ignite a mosh pit. AI can reproduce Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony perfectly, but people attend orchestra performances to experience the unique beauty of a collective of musicians creating something unreproducible. It’s about collaboration,not sterile perfection.
The Missing Ingredient: A Shared Human Experience
Perhaps the most significant thing AI can’t recreate is the connection we have with the artists we love.
“Swifties” obsess over Taylor swift’s life, believing it informs her songs. How many people follow musicians’ personal lives and dramas? Do we really want that to disappear? (And what will actors do without musician biopic fodder?)
Would anyone care about a feud between two AI prompters the way people follow rap battles between The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac, or Kendrick Lamar and Drake? Of course not. It would feel like a pointless argument between basement dwellers.
Some country fans gravitate toward artists like Sturgill Simpson because they feel a genuine connection to country music’s history. Do fans of Kurt Cobain or Daniel Johnston care about which AI prompt editor is the “most authentic?”
Trans punks connect with Against Me! not just for the music, but because Laura Jane Grace’s transition resonates with them. Will the legions of young Asian American women at a Mitski or Japanese Breakfast concert be moved by a data center?
AI can mimic sounds, but it can’t replicate the human experience of music.
