About 2 years ago I wrote an article about AI and how it would change our way of life. As I predicted, there is a race for AI dominance and it has all come true.
Every now and then I would dabble in one form of the technology just to keep tabs with the trends. I’m not a quick learner so I didn’t want to waste too much time learning any specific program/platform that would eventually be overtaken by another. However, last weekend I thought I’d try out AI in the music industry. And boy, was I shocked by what is now readily available.
We men don’t read manuals, so I just dove into Suno AI. Typed in one of my original lyrics … and my jaw dropped. That online software created the melody, provided the singer, and musical accompaniment. It was unbelievably, high quality, incredibly good. Immediately, I felt sorry for the professionals in the music industry. Who needs all their expensive equipment and human talent when you’ve got this?
Hearing is believing
This is what Suno AI churned out:
What do you think? Please share your comments on Youtube or on the comment section below.
Before you try it out, first write the lyrics to the song (no need to do that if you want to create an instrumental without words). Or (if you want to cheat) copy the lyrics of an existing poem or a song. It’s best if you have access to a mouse and keyboard when you do this (translation: Don’t do it on your phone). Then CLICK HERE. You can copy and paste the lyrics. Choose the style of music. Then hit CREATE.
You will be given free credits to try it out. Each prompt will use up some credits and if you run out, it only costs $10 for a monthly subscription.
Some prompt rules: You cannot tell Suno to use the voice of any known artist. You should be honest and not steal someone else’s work. There are several websites that share useful prompts.
Defintion: A prompt is a request for information or an instruction given to a computer system, particularly in the context of interacting with AI models like Suno AI or ChatGPT. Different AI models require different prompts.
Please share your creation with me. Put it in the comment section below.
The Technology
If you’re a frustrated songwriter who never played an instrument or sang beyond the walls of your bathroom, this is your day! As far as copyright, the rules are vague (WARNING: Suno practically owns whatever you create) and nobody is enforcing the law because of the complexity of proving innocence or guilt. It’s the Wild West of AI technology. You shouldn’t wait for the dust to clear. Just go out and create!
Do you see the trend? AI can create visual artwork on the fly. AI can write novels in minutes. AI can research published journals anywhere in the internet in seconds. AI is the brain of robots including the Teslas people drive. AI writes code for programmers. AI can make full length movies complete with actors, props, scenery, dialogue and soundtrack. AI can diagnose health issues better than some doctors. See the graphics in this article? They are all done by AI.
Repercussions
So what’s the point in learning anything? Why practice any musical instrument, memorize legal case studies, calculate square roots manually, when you can do all that easily and better? The secret is in knowing what prompt to feed AI.
Where then is our relevance as human beings? I wish I had a good answer but even the opinions of the AI pioneers are mixed. One thing’s for sure — Pandora already opened the box.
Practically speaking, I wouldn’t spend tens of thousands for a 4 year college degree because what they teach may soon be obsolete. Go for shorter courses. For the same reason, I wouldn’t specialize in just one field. Be creative! Think outside of the box and go for what you enjoy doing. Let your imagination run wild knowing that AI is there to assist you. Be aware that everybody else has access to the same tools. Rather than compete, collaborate (if possible). The challenge should not be survival (or daily sustenance) but refining mankind.
I think moral values are of utmost importance … especially for the developers of AI. You wouldn’t want Homer Simpson to be in charge of a nuclear plant, would you? Hopefully, when we sort through the maze of technology, we finally understand the key to open the door to the meaning of life … the door that leads to our loving God who told us to also love one another.
Footnotes:
Here are links to Youtube videos that may interest you:
- Interview with SUNO AI CEO, Mikey Schulman
LONG VERSION
SHORT VERSION - Interview with CEO of ChatGPT, Sam Altman about the future of AI
(I thought these were segments particularly interesting: 21:54, 59:35) - A musician’s legal battle with AI. Well thought out and scary.
