The growing role of AI in the music industry has become one of the most talked-about developments in recent years, with artists and fans divided on its potential impact.
Daniel Bedingfield, best-known for his early 2000s hits, recently made headlines by boldly declaring that AI is the future of music. In an interview with The Guardian, Bedingfield argued that embracing AI is not just inevitable but necessary, predicting a divide between those who resist the technology—the “neo-luddites”—and those who welcome it.
Bedingfield’s stance is clear: AI offers unparalleled creative possibilities, allowing artists to generate complex musical elements, like a gospel choir, in a fraction of the time it would take to organize and record with human performers. His latest project, an AI-driven app called Hooks, pairs music with AI-generated videos, and he has even released an album made entirely of AI-generated songs. For Bedingfield, the question isn’t whether AI should be a part of music-making, but why anyone would choose to avoid it.
Not everyone shares his enthusiasm, however. Artists like Nick Cave have fiercely opposed the use of AI in music, calling it a “grotesque mockery of what it is to be human.” Others, like Ed Sheeran, Slash, and Sting, have also voiced concerns about the impact of AI on creativity and authenticity in music. At MN2S, we recognize the potential of AI in the music industry and are excited to see how it continues to evolve. The technology is undeniably impressive and could offer new tools for artists to explore. However, we also believe that music’s emotional power lies in its human touch – the unique experiences, emotions, and expressions that only a real person can bring to a track.
AI-generated music presents some real challenges. When a song is created entirely by an algorithm, it becomes difficult to attribute it to a real artist, and the connection between the music and its listeners can feel diluted. While AI might be able to replicate the sound of a choir or the intricacies of a melody, it lacks the personal experiences and emotional depth that make music resonate on a deeper level.
As AI continues to develop, we’re interested to see how artists incorporate it into their creative processes. But for us, the heart of music will always be its human element; AI might be able to assist and enhance the creative process, but we believe that music at its core should be a reflection of the artist behind it, and AI should complement human creativity rather than replace it. The music that truly moves us will always be music that comes from real people, with real stories to tell.