Overview
The article examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the music industry and the broader creative economy, highlighting both innovative uses and emerging ethical and practical challenges. It uses recent examples, including The Beatles' AI-assisted single "Now And Then," to illustrate the technology's expanding influence.
AI and The Beatles' "Now And Then"
- "Now And Then" is the first and only Beatles song released in the 21st century, created with AI assistance.
- AI was used to restore John Lennon's vocals from a previously unusable demo recording.
- The song won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance in 2025, marking the first Grammy for an AI-assisted track.
- The project demonstrates AI's potential to revive and complete archival creative works.
AI's Growing Role in Music Creation
- AI allows musicians to generate content, synthesize vocals, and separate track elements rapidly.
- Tools developed for projects like The Beatles: Get Back documentary showcase AI's restorative (rather than generative) applications.
- AI enables artists and producers to achieve results previously impossible with traditional technology.
Education and Industry Adaptation
- Ohio University's School of Media Arts and Studies has integrated AI into its curriculum to prepare students for industry changes.
- Courses now include hands-on experience with AI tools for music production, video editing, and generative art.
- Faculty believe understanding AI is essential for future creative professionals.
Ethical and Industry Challenges
- AI-generated works, such as Ghostwriter’s "Heart on My Sleeve," raise issues of voice imitation, consent, and digital identity.
- The proliferation of both human- and AI-generated songs overwhelms streaming platforms, complicating content discovery and artist visibility.
- Massive daily releases (100,000–150,000 songs) on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are expected to rise with increased AI usage.
The Future of Creativity
- There is ongoing debate about the importance of human creativity versus machine capability in producing meaningful art.
- AI tools are seen as an extension of technological advances that have historically driven artistic innovation.
- The industry anticipates an era of AI-generated songs that may challenge traditional notions of authorship and artistry.