Jeannie Jones is an award-winning journalist, media personality, actress, producer, director and brand architect. Jeannie’s Los Angeles-based multimedia firm, Ready Set Impact, specializes in music, film, and radio production; publishing; social media marketing, branding, and casting.

This month, Jeannie offers insight into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry — and the potential implications for creators.

For 40+ years, technology has been used as a tool to make the aspects of music production easier or better. For decades, producers and performers began using computer software to “fix” wrong notes by way of pitch correction (a.k.a. Auto-Tune). This was a pivotal turning point in popular music; not only did Auto-Tune correct iffy notes in a singer’s performance, but it often changed the sound of the singer’s voice — and often, it was done purposely.

Fast forward to the present day, and technology’s integration into popular music has only become more pronounced. Now, a sense of what’s “real” in music becomes even blurrier with advances in artificial intelligence (AI).

AI has taken computer involvement in the creation of music into a new realm. Previously, computers offered digital tools to help songwriters and producers with the music they had already created. But now, computers are offering to do the writing for us, as well. We have technology that can compose complete songs at the touch of a button, and then learn from the experience. Many fear that this will lead to a world where most listeners soon won’t know — or perhaps, even care — if a song was written by a human or a computer.

These developments have what some in the industry view as potentially devastating consequences. AI has developed to be able to produce the voice and likeness of just about anybody in pop culture. This leads to a growing discussion on whether AI violates the rights of those creators, as it can be argued that AI is being placed in direct competition with these artists’ abilities to make a living from their work.

As of now, the U.S. Copyright Office has taken the following stance on AI-generated material (via CNN).

“In the case of works containing AI-generated material, the Office will consider whether the AI contributions are the result of ‘mechanical reproduction’ or instead of an author’s ‘own original mental conception, to which [the author] gave visible form,’”

U.S. Copyright Office

Meanwhile, Universal Music Group (UMG) has taken a stand, encouraging Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms to “prevent their services from being used in ways that harm artists,” citing instances where AI has been used to emulate performers including Drake, Eminem, and more.

“These instances demonstrate why platforms have a fundamental legal and ethical responsibility to prevent the use of their services in ways that harm artists,” the company stated.

Much like the technological developments that preceded it — and through these highly-contested times — there is no doubt that AI has already changed songwriting.

Even so, there is still something artists can do: create. You can still create something completely new, driven by your own developing creativity and sense of innovation. AI can streamline a lot of things, but one thing it can’t take the place of is you.