KK Isn’t Worried About AI… Here’s Why
After reading my April 9 post on the AI music debate, KK, a longtime friend and regular reader, wrote to cheer me up with this positive take on it:
“Nice to see you writing about music, a subject near and dear to my ear. My take on AI is it will not have a formative effect on the industry. Why? Because most bands today make the bulk of their money from live shows, especially touring, ticket sales, and merchandise sold at concerts. Streaming, royalties, and licensing can add income, but they usually pay less than performances for most active bands. Gone are the days of gold records creating fortunes.
“I think of AI as an invasive plant, needing herbicides only when it’s encroached to the point of intolerance. How things eventually level out will most likely be seen by people other than you and me.
“Still, my biggest concern is AI’s use by the criminally intent. I believe the combination of Quantum computing and AI will render encryption and the blockchain obsolete (bitcoin).
“Soon to be entering my 77th year, I can only say maybe we will see it.”
My Response: KK, I understand how you feel about AI music and how it may inform your hopes for the future. I used to have the same feelings and thoughts about AI writing.
Your point about the economics of the music industry is a good one. But consider the success of The Sphere in Las Vegas, and the fact that AI music producers will be able to generate and own all the rights to their creations. All that is missing is the emotional attachment.
I was feeling something for that second AI avatar I mentioned in the April 9 issue: Morgan Luna. In my future vision, I’ll be able to send her fan mail, which she’ll respond to, letting me know that she’d like to have a chat with me online. That will become a several-weeks-long (or several-months-long) romance, if I am so inclined. And then finally – if she becomes as popular as I think she might – I’ll be able to order a robotic version of her through Amazon and have her delivered to my hotel room in 24 hours!
The downside, of course, could be unimaginably bad…
