Hello
I am Lillyan, a 12 year old from London.
I am writing an essay, as a part of an arts qualification (in the UK).
I am attaching my work below. I would be grateful for any feedback.
Thanks so much!
Unit 1 D - AI and the future of the music industry
Introduction
The rise of artificial intelligence has transformed various areas, especially music making and has demonstrated remarkable capabilities. Music is a fundamental aspect of human cognition, with humans possessing the capabilities to perceive musical elements like tone, timbre, pitch, intervals, melodic characteristics, harmony, and rhythm. These are processed by multiple areas of the brain, with the result being intense and profound emotions.
The algorithms that power AI translate music into smaller data sets parameters and formulae. The idea that the human factor behind the music composition and creation is becoming less important underestimates the emotional and cultural role of music making. Meanwhile, during live events, AI faces significant challenges. While creating similar-sounding tunes is fairly simple for AI, duplicating the advanced musicianship and motor skills of musicians needed to perform live remains far from current technological capabilities.
To judge fairly, I think AI's compelling role is collaboration rather than replacement. The most promising way forward is a hybrid model where AI is a tool to enhance the arts. Artists and musicians should use AI to experiment with new sounds and tunes, speed up production while remaining in control of the creative process.
How AI works
Logic, calculations, computations and problem solving were the main concerns in the early stages of artificial intelligence. In the area of creativity, machines are programmed to mimic human cognitive processes. But as the digital age develops Al's abilities expand beyond basic math. The secret to releasing artificial intelligence's most recent creative potential lies in the advancements in algorithms and computing power. Creators and artists should move beyond individual AI tools and focus on collaborative intelligence to maintain competitive advantage and ensure human leadership and creative input remain at the helm.
Going back in time, it was Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and a computing pioneer who could claim the credit for the way machines were programmed to analyse. She also anticipated that robots could be made capable of more than just numerical operations. She imagined a future where machines may be used in the production of art, music and written language in addition to solving mathematical problems. The vast potential of machines as creative beings that extends well beyond the traditional sphere of numerical computing was initially established thanks to Lovelace's perceptive viewpoint.
Applications of AI in the music business
More than just a data-driven tool, artificial intelligence is radically changing the world. Even in creative sectors such as music, the use of AI has skyrocketed recently. The development of AI is a sign of the limitless possibilities that result from the interaction of artificial intelligence and human cognition. Al serves as more than just a tool; it is an essential collaborator for musicians, helping to bring complex ideas to life. Algorithms provide artists with new viewpoints, creative approaches following the process of carefully analyzing large sets of data.
AI algorithms are transforming the music industry today and setting up a transformative future where creativity and technology coexist. With AI algorithms skillfully creating harmonies, melodies, and rhythms that profoundly connect with human emotion, algorithmic composing represents a huge advancement. This innovation also applies to virtual artists, whose improvisational skills and Al-generated symphonies challenge conventional wisdom, enhancing the audio experience and introducing listeners to previously unexplored musical expressions.
Al's contribution to the music production goes beyond composing. Al algorithms are helpful collaborators that give artists new, cutting-edge resources for mastering, arrangement and sound synthesis. Music can be customized by AI to suit personal tastes and genre preferences. AI systems are able to compose music specifically for each listener, focusing on their engagement to produce a more satisfying musical experience.
Real-time music changes can be implemented by machine learning algorithms, reacting directly to crowd mood and performance impact for example. This dynamic correlation creates new opportunities for unpredictable and creative music. AI use increases its potential for emotional management and manipulation and music has a strong emotional influence on people. This is where with appropriate and ethical use AI will become increasingly crucial as it is currently still work in progress.
The development of music genres utilising AI suggests a future where human-machine collaboration becomes mutually beneficial. AI can be a force for innovation, pushing the limits of what is currently musically possible, rather than taking over the role of humans and their creativity. Similar to the process of writing and performing a whole symphony, AI is like the conductor who contributes to the melody that corresponds with the composer's tempo. Like a crescendo of musical expression, the future undoubtedly holds a lot, as an improvement (but not a replacement) of human thought and touch.
With AI, composers and musicians can create content in a matter of minutes, amend existing recordings and so much more. Artificial intelligence has already been tested by well-known musicians like The Beatles. AI was used to compose the band's final "new" song, "NOW AND THEN," which was based on an unreleased demo recording by the late John Lennon. The single was released in November 2023 by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two surviving members of the band. This makes it the Beatles' first and only song to be released in the twenty-first century, and the final one featuring all four of them. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opxhh9Oh3rg
Preserving the integrity of any creative contributions remains crucial to the process of adopting and working with AI, in addition to ensuring that the finished product fits well with social and ethical standards. There are several factors to consider while using AI, such as losing control over how others use your digital image. The ability of AI algorithms to imitate styles, approaches, and genres becomes more apparent even though these continue to become more complex. This begs the question, how could one tell the differences between an Al-generated work and a human-made masterpiece? Well, AI systems function based on using algorithms, probability, and data-driven patterns, whereas human artists include their own stories, feelings, and experiences into their creations. So I approached the highly esteemed composer and musician Mrs Errollyn Wallen CBE, master of the King's Music for her opinion on AI. I asked her whether AI will have an impact on musicians and composers over time, and whether human talent can be replicated by AI. Her reply was equivocal.
I also approached Ben Morales Frost - a multidisciplinary composer, specialising in film, television and theatre. In his response he detailed how "I'd love it to do the boring tasks and to enable me to have more time to do the actual writing of the music, not for it to write the music itself! Even if AI does get good enough at creating new ideas, or even just good enough to make us think it's come up with a new idea, I reckon humans will begin to prefer and desire real human art, rather than computer-generated. We already see that a bit now, where people favour the imperfection of a human performance over the immaculate precision of computers."
The future of AI within the creative sector is a mix of limitless possibilities, with each possibility signifying a distinct fusion of artistic expression, technical innovation, and human intelligence. This can be made possible by embracing all that this future holds with curiosity, vision, and a dedication to ethics. As the technology advances, professional musicians will be able to use AI-generated tunes as a starting point and add human ingenuity, skills and emotions to them. This strategy is similar to the way AI has already been successfully incorporated into other domains: it is used as a tool to complement rather than replace humans.
In 2024, Youth Music surveyed 2100 young people to better understand their relationship with music: how it made them feel, and what impact it had on their everyday lives. According to that report, "47% of young people felt that most music in the future will be made by AI. Our research, found that 2/3rds of 16-24-year-olds were embracing AI to assist them in their creative process. It removes financial and time barriers for young people who are looking to break into the music industries. At this stage in their lives, young people are often working multiple jobs, studying, or producing music with limited financial means. So, it's no wonder they're early AI adopters. Whilst the emergence of AI continues to revolutionise popular culture, young people expect a future of music-making in which the presence of AI and other technological developments are working with us, not against us."
Conclusion
Al's significant contributions to innovation will not only educate us, but will also serve as a reminder of the human inventiveness and resilience, which continuously contribute to the complex symbiosis of artistic expressions. Instead of pitching AI against humans, the objective is to combine the finest aspects of both to make better music. Thus, the narrative isn't about replacement but about the collaboration and cohesion that ensures music will stay vibrant, alive and fundamentally human.
References
"Unleashing the Power of AI in Art, Music, and Literature" by Cecilia Shortt
Youth Music Sound of the Next Generation Report Youth Music Sound of the Next Generation Report 2024 www.youthmusic.org.uk/resources/sound-next-generation-2024
Looks like a good topic, for sure. I don't have time to study it, at least not right now, but I did notice a couple of things. For instance, sometimes you have "AI" (as it should be) and sometimes it says "Al" (the name Al, short for Alan). You should probably find all your instances of Al and fix them to say AI.
Other than the Beatles example and the two musicians you interviewed and reported on, you lean toward general statements like "AI has skyrocketed recently", without explanation or concrete examples. That may be suitable for your paper, but maybe it would be good to be more specific. Just a thought.
That's all I have time for at the moment. Maybe others will chime in. I think it's a great topic and overall sounds well-written.
Vicki
Quote from: lilgan on Jul 25, 2025, 10:48 PMHello
I am Lillyan, a 12 year old from London.
I am writing an essay, as a part of an arts qualification (in the UK).
I am attaching my work below. I would be grateful for any feedback.
Thanks so much!
Your really smart for someone 12 years old
Unit 1 D - AI and the future of the music industry
Introduction
The rise of artificial intelligence has transformed various areas, especially music making and has demonstrated remarkable capabilities. Music is a fundamental aspect of human cognition, with humans possessing the capabilities to perceive musical elements like tone, timbre, pitch, intervals, melodic characteristics, harmony, and rhythm. These are processed by multiple areas of the brain, with the result being intense and profound emotions.
The algorithms that power AI translate music into smaller data sets parameters and formulae. The idea that the human factor behind the music composition and creation is becoming less important underestimates the emotional and cultural role of music making. Meanwhile, during live events, AI faces significant challenges. While creating similar-sounding tunes is fairly simple for AI, duplicating the advanced musicianship and motor skills of musicians needed to perform live remains far from current technological capabilities.
To judge fairly, I think AI's compelling role is collaboration rather than replacement. The most promising way forward is a hybrid model where AI is a tool to enhance the arts. Artists and musicians should use AI to experiment with new sounds and tunes, speed up production while remaining in control of the creative process.
How AI works
Logic, calculations, computations and problem solving were the main concerns in the early stages of artificial intelligence. In the area of creativity, machines are programmed to mimic human cognitive processes. But as the digital age develops Al's abilities expand beyond basic math. The secret to releasing artificial intelligence's most recent creative potential lies in the advancements in algorithms and computing power. Creators and artists should move beyond individual AI tools and focus on collaborative intelligence to maintain competitive advantage and ensure human leadership and creative input remain at the helm.
Going back in time, it was Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and a computing pioneer who could claim the credit for the way machines were programmed to analyse. She also anticipated that robots could be made capable of more than just numerical operations. She imagined a future where machines may be used in the production of art, music and written language in addition to solving mathematical problems. The vast potential of machines as creative beings that extends well beyond the traditional sphere of numerical computing was initially established thanks to Lovelace's perceptive viewpoint.
Applications of AI in the music business
More than just a data-driven tool, artificial intelligence is radically changing the world. Even in creative sectors such as music, the use of AI has skyrocketed recently. The development of AI is a sign of the limitless possibilities that result from the interaction of artificial intelligence and human cognition. Al serves as more than just a tool; it is an essential collaborator for musicians, helping to bring complex ideas to life. Algorithms provide artists with new viewpoints, creative approaches following the process of carefully analyzing large sets of data.
AI algorithms are transforming the music industry today and setting up a transformative future where creativity and technology coexist. With AI algorithms skillfully creating harmonies, melodies, and rhythms that profoundly connect with human emotion, algorithmic composing represents a huge advancement. This innovation also applies to virtual artists, whose improvisational skills and Al-generated symphonies challenge conventional wisdom, enhancing the audio experience and introducing listeners to previously unexplored musical expressions.
Al's contribution to the music production goes beyond composing. Al algorithms are helpful collaborators that give artists new, cutting-edge resources for mastering, arrangement and sound synthesis. Music can be customized by AI to suit personal tastes and genre preferences. AI systems are able to compose music specifically for each listener, focusing on their engagement to produce a more satisfying musical experience.
Real-time music changes can be implemented by machine learning algorithms, reacting directly to crowd mood and performance impact for example. This dynamic correlation creates new opportunities for unpredictable and creative music. AI use increases its potential for emotional management and manipulation and music has a strong emotional influence on people. This is where with appropriate and ethical use AI will become increasingly crucial as it is currently still work in progress.
The development of music genres utilising AI suggests a future where human-machine collaboration becomes mutually beneficial. AI can be a force for innovation, pushing the limits of what is currently musically possible, rather than taking over the role of humans and their creativity. Similar to the process of writing and performing a whole symphony, AI is like the conductor who contributes to the melody that corresponds with the composer's tempo. Like a crescendo of musical expression, the future undoubtedly holds a lot, as an improvement (but not a replacement) of human thought and touch.
With AI, composers and musicians can create content in a matter of minutes, amend existing recordings and so much more. Artificial intelligence has already been tested by well-known musicians like The Beatles. AI was used to compose the band's final "new" song, "NOW AND THEN," which was based on an unreleased demo recording by the late John Lennon. The single was released in November 2023 by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two surviving members of the band. This makes it the Beatles' first and only song to be released in the twenty-first century, and the final one featuring all four of them. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opxhh9Oh3rg
Preserving the integrity of any creative contributions remains crucial to the process of adopting and working with AI, in addition to ensuring that the finished product fits well with social and ethical standards. There are several factors to consider while using AI, such as losing control over how others use your digital image. The ability of AI algorithms to imitate styles, approaches, and genres becomes more apparent even though these continue to become more complex. This begs the question, how could one tell the differences between an Al-generated work and a human-made masterpiece? Well, AI systems function based on using algorithms, probability, and data-driven patterns, whereas human artists include their own stories, feelings, and experiences into their creations. So I approached the highly esteemed composer and musician Mrs Errollyn Wallen CBE, master of the King's Music for her opinion on AI. I asked her whether AI will have an impact on musicians and composers over time, and whether human talent can be replicated by AI. Her reply was equivocal.
I also approached Ben Morales Frost - a multidisciplinary composer, specialising in film, television and theatre. In his response he detailed how "I'd love it to do the boring tasks and to enable me to have more time to do the actual writing of the music, not for it to write the music itself! Even if AI does get good enough at creating new ideas, or even just good enough to make us think it's come up with a new idea, I reckon humans will begin to prefer and desire real human art, rather than computer-generated. We already see that a bit now, where people favour the imperfection of a human performance over the immaculate precision of computers."
The future of AI within the creative sector is a mix of limitless possibilities, with each possibility signifying a distinct fusion of artistic expression, technical innovation, and human intelligence. This can be made possible by embracing all that this future holds with curiosity, vision, and a dedication to ethics. As the technology advances, professional musicians will be able to use AI-generated tunes as a starting point and add human ingenuity, skills and emotions to them. This strategy is similar to the way AI has already been successfully incorporated into other domains: it is used as a tool to complement rather than replace humans.
In 2024, Youth Music surveyed 2100 young people to better understand their relationship with music: how it made them feel, and what impact it had on their everyday lives. According to that report, "47% of young people felt that most music in the future will be made by AI. Our research, found that 2/3rds of 16-24-year-olds were embracing AI to assist them in their creative process. It removes financial and time barriers for young people who are looking to break into the music industries. At this stage in their lives, young people are often working multiple jobs, studying, or producing music with limited financial means. So, it's no wonder they're early AI adopters. Whilst the emergence of AI continues to revolutionise popular culture, young people expect a future of music-making in which the presence of AI and other technological developments are working with us, not against us."
Conclusion
Al's significant contributions to innovation will not only educate us, but will also serve as a reminder of the human inventiveness and resilience, which continuously contribute to the complex symbiosis of artistic expressions. Instead of pitching AI against humans, the objective is to combine the finest aspects of both to make better music. Thus, the narrative isn't about replacement but about the collaboration and cohesion that ensures music will stay vibrant, alive and fundamentally human.
References
"Unleashing the Power of AI in Art, Music, and Literature" by Cecilia Shortt
Youth Music Sound of the Next Generation Report Youth Music Sound of the Next Generation Report 2024 www.youthmusic.org.uk/resources/sound-next-generation-2024