Are AI-Generated Songs Ethical? Let's Talk About It.

[koalaboy]

It's not a song, but South Park (and many millions of people) would now consider AI video 'ethical'.

One particular person may not though, although they have done the same themselves.

I sense that we may be about to discover quite what the world thinks about AI a bit more.

[starflakeprj]

Like with most things in the world, those who have something to lose will be against it, while those who might gain from it will be for it.

[koalaboy]

Like with most things in the world, those who have something to lose will be against it, while those who might gain from it will be for it.

...and the majority will just see it come and go as trends and fashions do.

It's probably time to think on what society actually considers 'ethical' nowadays. Multiculturalism and a global world means there is no single religion (there never has been, but locality used to matter more). It's clear that the 'United' Nations are not really 'united' any more and many countries choosing to ignore those laws - which would previously have been seen as 'unethical'.

So until we can all agree on what ethical 'means' in this modern society, it's impossible to decide if AI-generated songs, or anything else, fit the definition.

[Bunny_boy]

Multiculturalism and a global world means there is no single religion (there never has been, but locality used to matter more).

I think you'll find that's not actually true. The vast majority of Thai people are Buddhist, including a compulsory stint as a monk (bit like national service); likewise the majority of people in Northern Africa are Muslim. Of course in both regions there are other religions, but to say that there is not an overwhelming majority religion is not correct.

[koalaboy]

Multiculturalism and a global world means there is no single religion (there never has been, but locality used to matter more).

I think you'll find that's not actually true. The vast majority of Thai people are Buddhist, including a compulsory stint as a monk (bit like national service); likewise the majority of people in Northern Africa are Muslim. Of course in both regions there are other religions, but to say that there is not an overwhelming majority religion is not correct.

I mean that globally - worldwide - there is not one 'single' religion that governs all people. So there is no single 'ethical' meaning in that regard, that all would agree upon.

[Bunny_boy]

Multiculturalism and a global world means there is no single religion (there never has been, but locality used to matter more).

I think you'll find that's not actually true. The vast majority of Thai people are Buddhist, including a compulsory stint as a monk (bit like national service); likewise the majority of people in Northern Africa are Muslim. Of course in both regions there are other religions, but to say that there is not an overwhelming majority religion is not correct.

I mean that globally - worldwide - there is not one 'single' religion that governs all people. So there is no single 'ethical' meaning in that regard, that all would agree upon.

Yeah, but it's always been like that. Multiculturalism and globalisation are not factors in that.

[eassae]

I stopped singing because my voice sucks. As I am getting older, it's getting worse. So, I use AI generated vocals.

Admittedly this sounds pretty good. It doesn't have the tinny, out of phase, ring like all the fully generated songs do in the vocals(hear Detroit in OP for reference). It was a little weird to listen to as I've gotten accustomed to your voice over the years. I'd say this lacks some character, but I do see that it takes a number of years off.

2 years or so ago I played with Synthesizer V on a few tracks, the only AI software I've tried(knowingly). You still have to write the lyrics and melodies, and I did find you had to play with the phonemes extensively to get it to sound right, but in the end I don't think anyone recognized what I did as synthesized vocals. I also like that they paid an actual singer to create the vocals. Ultimately I decided I needed to learn to sing, or work with a vocalist so I didn't continue to use it.

[wagtunes]

I stopped singing because my voice sucks. As I am getting older, it's getting worse. So, I use AI generated vocals.

Admittedly this sounds pretty good. It doesn't have the tinny, out of phase, ring like all the fully generated songs do in the vocals(hear Detroit in OP for reference). It was a little weird to listen to as I've gotten accustomed to your voice over the years. I'd say this lacks some character, but I do see that it takes a number of years off.

2 years or so ago I played with Synthesizer V on a few tracks, the only AI software I've tried(knowingly). You still have to write the lyrics and melodies, and I did find you had to play with the phonemes extensively to get it to sound right, but in the end I don't think anyone recognized what I did as synthesized vocals. I also like that they paid an actual singer to create the vocals. Ultimately I decided I needed to learn to sing, or work with a vocalist so I didn't continue to use it.

Hey, if you can sing, power to you. My singing days, with a few exceptions, are over.

[enroe]

I stopped singing because my voice sucks. As I am getting older, it's getting worse. So, I use AI generated vocals.

Well, I listened to it. And I have to say: I prefer your original, old voice.

It has all those flaws in intonation and clarity, but for me, it has much
more feeling and expression. Authenticity is important, but the expression,
the emotion—I feel that much more in your voice.

[wagtunes]

I stopped singing because my voice sucks. As I am getting older, it's getting worse. So, I use AI generated vocals.

Well, I listened to it. And I have to say: I prefer your original, old voice.

It has all those flaws in intonation and clarity, but for me, it has much
more feeling and expression. Authenticity is important, but the expression,
the emotion—I feel that much more in your voice.

Well, thanks. But I'm not sure many people would share your opinion of my voice. Plus, you haven't heard me sing in a long time.

[enroe]

Like with most things in the world, those who have something to lose will be against it, while those who might gain from it will be for it.

Haha, yes, yes, that may be the case here in the forum: Those who are real
musicians and actually compose are against it. And those who can't — and
therefore have nothing to lose — who realize that they can suddenly generate
a song—almost out of nothing — just by "text prompts" — they're for it.

But if you step back a bit - that is, out of the forum - and look at the music
business and the listening habits of the masses, a different picture emerges:
Because then, over time, AI will take over everything: It's cheaper, it's faster -
that's what matters.

Real composing will be left only to autistic bedroom musicians who then occupy
this niche as a hobby. No one — except themselves — will want to hear their
musical outpourings (well, that's already a bit the case these days).

[koalaboy]

Like with most things in the world, those who have something to lose will be against it, while those who might gain from it will be for it.

Haha, yes, yes, that may be the case here in the forum: Those who are real
musicians and actually compose are against it. And those who can't — and
therefore have nothing to lose — who realize that they can suddenly generate
a song—almost out of nothing — just by "text prompts" — they're for it.

But if you step back a bit - that is, out of the forum - and look at the music
business and the listening habits of the masses, a different picture emerges:
Because then, over time, AI will take over everything: It's cheaper, it's faster -
that's what matters.

Real composing will be left only to autistic bedroom musicians who then occupy
this niche as a hobby. No one — except themselves — will want to hear their
musical outpourings (well, that's already a bit the case these days).

Wow.

I mean you're not wrong in your middle paragraph from a corporate perspective, but the rest is certainly an interesting perspective. Not one I'd agree with.

[eassae]

Haha, yes, yes, that may be the case here in the forum: Those who are real
musicians and actually compose are against it. And those who can't — and
therefore have nothing to lose — who realize that they can suddenly generate
a song—almost out of nothing — just by "text prompts" — they're for it.

But if you step back a bit - that is, out of the forum - and look at the music
business and the listening habits of the masses, a different picture emerges:
Because then, over time, AI will take over everything: It's cheaper, it's faster -
that's what matters.

Real composing will be left only to autistic bedroom musicians who then occupy
this niche as a hobby. No one — except themselves — will want to hear their
musical outpourings (well, that's already a bit the case these days).

Yeah, I think that we're pretty close already d=(´▽｀)=b. Oscar Wilde rings true when talking about a good majority of people today "who know the price of everything and the value of nothing."

[ROTMetro]

& you will never see an AI performing on a scene & beloved by fans for the crowd exchange.

I wouldn’t count on that for more than the next 30-40 yrs probably. There are robots in Japan with fan bases already. Maybe not singers yet,
but it will happen, just like in the movies.

They are left over from a different world where it was niche and interesting. In a world where every piece of marketing uses AI it's not interesting nor niche(maybe some vaporwave types can make it into something).

[Bunny_boy]

People are into those Vocaloid things. All I remember of that is Yamaha producing a really early piece of software for vocal generation yonks ago, and nobody really liking it.