AI Revolutionizing Creativity: How Symphonies Could Be Composed by Anyone
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making remarkable strides in various fields, and now it seems that the world of creativity is about to experience a major revolution. The commonly discussed legal issues surrounding AI and art, such as copyright infringement, or the debate on whether AI can truly compete with human artists, are nothing more than distractions. Looking beyond these distractions, it becomes evident that AI has the potential to fundamentally change how we perceive creativity, ownership, and the very notion of what it means to be an artist.
AI is not just going to transform the way we think about creativity but also reshape the business of creativity. Traditional models and marketplaces that support creative production will be disrupted. To illustrate this transformative power of AI, let’s delve into an example.
At The New York Times’ Dealbook conference, Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, discussed how AI has already replaced humans in designing the architectures used for Nvidia devices. While human engineers made incremental improvements from generation to generation, AI broke all the design rules and created highly efficient shortcuts that outperformed human designs. Huang found it challenging to let go of his knowledge of GPU design and trust the AI’s creations, which were built on its own language. Today, there is no human that can compete with AI in designing Nvidia architectures. A similar transformation is taking place in software coding and other industries.
Now, let’s consider the implications of such a conceptual shift in the context of an orchestra. Composing a piece for an orchestra requires a vast array of technical skills. The composer needs to translate the sounds she hears in her head into notation, understand every instrument’s capabilities, blend the sounds harmoniously, and orchestrate the composition effectively. Additionally, one needs skilled musicians and conductors who can interpret and bring the composer’s vision to life. The demand for these skills and opportunities narrows down the number of people capable of going from conception to stage to recording.
However, with AI, the equation changes. Rather than requiring traditional skills, such as musical notation, someone who hears a symphony in their head can describe it in words to the AI. Just like ChatGPT for text or Dall-E and MidJourney for images, AI could assist in creating sophisticated symphonies by generating scores for human musicians to play. Moreover, AI-powered compositions might incorporate extended instrumentation that surpasses the limitations of traditional instruments, thus revolutionizing the musical language. Throughout history, major shifts in musical style and language were often driven by technological advancements.
Imagine a world where millions of symphonies bloom, each originating from the imagination of individuals who previously lacked the traditional skills or opportunities to bring their compositions to life. While most of these creations may not meet the highest standards, this democratization of composition will undoubtedly disrupt the field, exponentially expanding the number of people engaging with orchestras creatively. It will diversify and enrich the language of orchestral music, inviting creators from different cultural backgrounds and breathing new life into the art form.
As AI continues to push the boundaries of creativity, it will redefine our perception of what it means to be an artist. The possibilities for AI in the world of music are vast, revolutionizing the creative process and the way we interact with and appreciate art. While some may question the role of AI in creativity, it is essential that we embrace these advancements and explore the uncharted territories they offer. The symphonies of the future may be composed by anyone, and the orchestra as we know it today could undergo a profound and exciting transformation.
