I think it’s safe to say that everybody loves music. Everyone has a favorite artist or a favorite song but would you believe that original, artistic melody could be created by a soulless machine? Music is always evolving and the next big thing may be here in the form of artificial intelligence.

​

Developers have been working on an AI platform that can compose music at the same level as a human being. This seems like an impossible feat due to the complexities involved in producing a hit song but technology is advancing to the point where it is now possible that your new favorite song will be created by a machine. The advanced analytics involved in this process have allowed researchers to study what makes a song popular and the similarities between songs within genres that gives them the ability to feed that knowledge into a computer which outputs complete arrangements with the accuracy of skilled composers. This is done through a complicated process revolving around the revolutionary concept of machine learning.

​

Machine learning is exactly what it sounds like. A computer is fed inputs with simple instructions and it is taught more complicated processes over time. It’s almost like raising a child but much, much faster (and without all that complicated free will). Machine learning algorithms use neural networks to interpret inputs and decide the appropriate output, much like the human brain. However, this process is done on a much smaller scale. This neural network is what really allows a program to learn through trial and error until it finds exactly which output meets specifications. Combining the analysis of past human works with the highly advanced capabilities of a computer leads to machine learning being done relatively quickly and with far fewer faults. It may seem eerie to think that this uniquely human quality can be achieved by a machine but that is exactly what’s happening.

​

This advanced AI has been used to create classical pieces that have already been used as soundtracks in films and video games. The potential for the music industry to become saturated with compositions from virtual artists does exist. It’s just a matter of how well the music is received and how quickly the technology behind it becomes readily available. Some argue that this could degrade the quality and standards of music but every new form of music has been met with criticism. Just look at mumble rap. Legal concerns have been brought up as well but it was decided that the creations of a virtual artist will be the sole property of that AI, which of course becomes the property of that systems creator. Regardless of whether or not you like the songs, the technological feat holds some merit.

​

I don’t think we have to worry about robots taking the music business by storm just yet but who knows? Someday soon android artists from every genre could be taking the stage at the American Music Awards and filling our then retro iPod shuffles with sick beats.