AI is coming for you | As a musician are you ready for AI?

In this video, I'm talking about the future of AI and how it's going to affect our lives as musicians. Are you ready for AI to take over your music career?
AI has been making big waves in the music industry recently and there's no doubt that it is going to have a big impact on the way we make and listen to music in the future. In this video, I'm talking about the potential implications of AI on the music industry and what musicians should do to prepare for its arrival.
There is much talk about AI or artificial intelligence and how it will rock your world as a musician - but are you ready for the melee?
Recently STING commented about how artificial intelligence could be a major problem for musicians, but is he right? This video takes you through the possible bad things that might happen, but also touches on the positive side of things too.
Make no mistake though that AI even now in its infancy is having an effect on music, musicians, production, instrument manufacturing, even what we listen to or choose to listen to and much more. Can you even imagine where AI will take you when AI is actually more clever than you are? So is AI really coming for you?
Some think it's years away, yes years away. This video has a twist to it though and you need to watch the whole thing from start to finish and THEN post your opinion taking in to account the 'final twist' as described and you might find that it changes your opinion one way or the other regarding artificial intelligence and music, musicians and income in years to come, especially when anyone could do what you do with the help of AI. A musician may be toast!
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#ai #artificialintelligence #musician #musicians #creatingmusic #tonymckenzie #aimusic #aimusicproduction #mckenzie

[@Joe-mz6dc]

AI doesn't present a threat to musician salaries because musicians don't have salaries. Sadly, most musicians have been living below poverty level for the past 50 years.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well that is a fair comment. And since 2020 it became a whole lot harder my giigging friends tell me. I know on the actual music front (downloads, streaming etc.) that has slowed also... thankfully for me I am not dependent on the income, but there are many that are. Will AI help those guys? probably not... thanks for watching.

[@RByrne]

The creative process hasnt seemed to matter for years, so I dont see much changing for the worse. Most people dont care if they're listening to an original song, or ghost written, cover, plagarized, auto tune, lip synch, etc It seems all about the end result now. I guess it depends on whether the artist has something specific they want to put out or are fine giving some AI program a few parameters and taking credit for it. I'll still pay to see live bands, but i imagine it could cut out a portion of gigs where the performer is secondary(like a band playing a sporting event).

[@tonymckenziecom]

Exactly - and thats a sad thing really. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewapte9981]

3:55 I think that this is the one point that people could be wrong about, more specifically it's "continuing to evolve". I think there is a good chance we are looking at pretty highly advanced AI in its current form. Because AI appears to be intelligence, there is an assumption it will follow a linear progression to higher and higher intelligence similar to what we possess, however AI in its current form has serious flaws that render it completely unreliable, and there's not evidence to suggest that these flaws will cease to exist no matter how "good" it gets. I think what we will find is that it's actually just quicker and easier to use humans for most tasks. AI is great at finding anomalies and novelties in data, it is a great generalist, but in its current form is a terrible specialist. I was a doomer, but have recently started studying computer science and since then have completely relaxed on the whole AI takeover thing.

[@eddiejr540]

Agreed!!!!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well the whole script was actually AI! And as far as getting things wrong, I have had experience with that - and OFTEN AI gets things wrong or completely spurious 'facts' that are actually not facts. In the request not once did I ask the AI bot to include the 'good' things about AI, but just the bad things... and as you see in the result, 'it' included the good things... maybe its biased :) Thanks for the post and for watching.

[@scottray666]

Im so disgusted with the music scene that i rarely even pick up a guitar anymore after 32 years of playing.Its really sad the way things are now for people who want to play for a living on any level really

[@tonymckenziecom]

I agree with you that so much has changed and my guess is that it will possibly get worse... hence I created the video with a twist (if you watched it all)... thanks for watching.

[@Barbarapape]

Professor Stephen Hawkins warned us that left to it's own, AI will destroy life as we know it. So the concern that it will take over music is a serious one. The music that is made today sounds nothing like what i call music. You get some screeching singer trying to perform to a backing track that has never seen a real musician. If this is the future of music, i want nothing to do with it.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well I 'get it' on the current music stuff for some genre types... but I try and keep an open mind, it's subjective stuff. The twist in the video actually tells lots about where it currently is (for the regular public stuff), but I'm sure there is far more to come and again when you have guys like Sting telling it also it should remain concerning really. Thanks for the post - and for watching.

[@snowmaneffect]

I'm not to worried about ai when I see the ads that are generated by ai on KZbin.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well if you watched this whole video... maybe you could have a change of mind... and thanks for watching.

[@aipsong]

Hello and good health to you, my favorite instrument reviewer. I have read many books about AI, and have a formation of math and physics from the University of Michigan. I was given my first guitar at Christmas in 1957. I bought my first tape recorder in 1967. Now, several guitars and several keyboards and many analog and digital boxes later, I have felt the growth of this phenomenon accelerating. My Kurzweil K2500 seemed to know what I wanted to do before I reached for the controls. Raymond Kurzweil is a leading player in the AI game. Software from iZotope and others incorporate AI, and some of it is very useful. I have about 400 videos on my KZbin channel, all composed, played, recorded, and mixed and mastered by my carbon based hands and brain. There are many mistakes and weaknesses, but I would never have had the emotional experience if I had asked a silicon AI to do the work for me. If we can form deep cooperation between our musical souls and AI, we will have a wonderful journey ahead.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Great answer :) Keep AI where it belongs. And thanks for watching.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

You're back! Hi Tony!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Hi there - and hope you're doing OK.

[@tuulenkoti]

I won't support any AI garbage in any field. Edit : Now that was an ending. Well done.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Yes an eye opener really. Thanks for watching....

[@MarcAndreLevesque]

Well, do you have an cell phone? Did you purchase anything on Amazon ever? Do you drive a Tesla? Do you enjoy looking at pictures? How do you think deepfakes are done? Sorry to break it to you but you already are supporting AI and consuming their byproducts, want it or not, it's not going away and the only choice you have is to adapt or be left in the past.

[@avital2166]

🤯

[@tonymckenziecom]

What can I say...

[@fongy200]

Hey Tony, hope your well. I reckon the Cats already out of the bag regards AI. It's already a big part of everyday life. Take KZbin for instance. AI is used along with their Algorithms to deal with a host of tasks. It's already everywhere. It maybe what they term as 'Soft AI' but AI nonetheless. I think the thing we have to be careful of as Musicians is not being able to tell the difference. Also when AI is booked in preference to real Bands. That's when it will really hit home. I will actively vito any products that use AI to the dextrement of Human beings if i can, but it may be harder than that. I think any product that uses AI should state what, when and why it's been used and the same should be the same for music. If we still have the choice to listen to real music then i don't think it will fade away. Only when we are not being told and the choices are taken will it become prevalent.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Oh I know its out there of course... but I do think its a growing thing that WILL harm musicians later... just like the 'streaming of audio' has (I get enough for a burger about once a year :) ... The stuff I have seen and used is not that good and not that accurate, but it does depend on what you ask. For me, it's been helpful a few times on technical stuff internet related, but equally, it falls far behind when I ask AI about the things I really know about. And that's the good point... for now! But it will change and so I made the video to get guys thinking a bit about it all. Thanks for watching.

[@cubfanmike]

Just crank that knob marked, 'Talent'

[@tonymckenziecom]

I wish it was that easy... simply because when it does move forward, scarily it will likely be better than any of us... thanks for the post and for watching.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

"scarily it will likely be better than any of us." Sorry to be direct Tony, but this is utter bullshit. Artificial intelligence is computer programs and algorithms written by programmers. It will not have its own sense of originality whatsoever. The programmers decide how it operates and because of that anything coming out of it, digital art of any form including music, will be from the mind of the programmers. So unless the programmers are Beethoven level music experts, the best music will always come from the mind, soul and hands of actual human beings. I have been working in information technology for a little over three decades now. Over these years I've been fascinated when I watch lay people trying to describe what's going on as technology advances around them. Usually the average person remains detached and differential to experts who actually work in information technology. But there have been many times when people start to try and tell me how things work because they've owned a laptop and run Windows updates a few times. I'm not saying that you are one of those people by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just saying this has happened extremely often. For some reason artificial intelligence is bringing everyone out of the woodwork in this regard. Suddenly everyone understands artificial intelligence. A very strange trend. But it's not what people think it is. Artificial intelligence is a combination of programming and big data. If you don't know what big data is look that up. It's a giant search engine with algorithms written by human beings at its core. And those people have an agenda. The scariest thing about artificial intelligence is not the artificial intelligence itself, but the programmers behind the artificial intelligence.

[@jimsuber6784]

I don't mind "inspiration". All musicians are inspired by something they've heard, felt. seen since the first musician heard the sound of one rock hitting another. AI is dangerous period, unless it's limited, then it's no longer AI. Unfortunately in my country, we have another type of "artificial" intelligence at the helm. Neither type is encouraging.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Hey Jim nice to hear you... and hope you're doing OK there especially since 2020 when all hell let loose. I believe that AI is dangerous too maybe more than many think. It's an in depth sort of thing really. And you might have seen the end of this vid where I confirmed that actually the whole content was written by AI bot. Notice that 'it' included good points as well as bad points, but my instruction was only for the bad points... says a lot. Thanks Jim...

[@vicesquadpunk]

Looking at Boris Johnson, May, Liz Truss and Cameron before them we could do with A.I running the UK… there certainly has been a lack of human intelligence in that camp!!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha a PERFECT answer... but sadly, it applies to ALL of the genre... thanks for watching.

[@robertbuffalo8287]

As a hobbest musician I could in a band with many of my heros. Like Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Eddie Van Halen, and/or David Bowie. From my point of view AI could be fun.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha great point :) and thanks for watching...

[@greasybumpkin1661]

But you wouldn't be in a band with them, you'd be in a band with a simulacrum of them, an idealised version of real humans. Why not just jam with human musicians / your friends and find your own voice?

[@robertbuffalo8287]

​@@greasybumpkin1661 I wish I had more time to do your suggestion. However, I work 50 hours a week and I am 64 years old with low energy at the end of the work week. I do not have enough drive to make that work for me. I get up at 4:00AM everyday and play guitar for an hour and head to work. Been playing guitar everyday for 55 years. AI to me would be fun, even if it were just a simulation.

[@greasybumpkin1661]

@@robertbuffalo8287 you work 50 hours at 64... What country is this in may I ask?

[@robertbuffalo8287]

I work and live in the US. I like my job. I have both an EE and computer science degrees. For 25 years I designed implantable deep brain stimulators. I am now designing an electronic heart simulator. I have also worked upgrading flight controls for all the major airlines at Honeywell. Also, at Honeywell I have done some AI programming and quantum computing algorithms.All my guitars and Amps have custom designed circuits by myself.

[@iandevlin_Ibanez]

AI has several implications for musicians. One of the most significant implications is the use of AI in music creation. AI technology can analyze existing music to generate new melodies and chord progressions. This can help musicians to generate new ideas and create unique music. In addition, AI can be used to enhance the quality of music recordings by removing background noise and improving the overall sound quality. Another implication of AI for musicians is the use of AI in live performances. AI technology can be used to generate synchronized lighting, visuals, and sound effects that can enhance the overall performance experience. AI can also be used to analyze audience reactions and adjust the performance accordingly. Lastly, AI can be used to improve the distribution and marketing of music. AI algorithms can analyze user listening habits and suggest new music to listeners. This can help musicians to reach a wider audience and increase their popularity.

[@tonymckenziecom]

As I mentioned in the video there are a number of 'good things' that AI could achieve. And a number of bad things too - but I could guess that maybe the wrong people could create music with those tools? And then? Simple... what would they need musicians for? Playing? maybe... The script I read was entirely written by an AI bot. Thanks for watching...

[@MarcAndreLevesque]

Well, cars were a disaster for blacksmiths and for the "horse" cartel in the US, the computer was going to kill all jobs and was supposed to be a disaster, same thing for industrial robots, Napster was supposed to kill music, MP3 was supposed to kill music, I could go on like that for ages. Things WILL change, that is certain, but like all new advancements and new technologies some things will die, some things new will appear and it is always be a case of adapt or die. AI, will remove the power from the big labels completely because anyone will be able to have a good mix and mastering without going in a studio and spending thousands of dollars for a single individual to do it, so yes audio engineers will probably disappear, producers to a certain extent will need to adapt because billboard charts fast food music will not be a bread and butter anymore... well that may be the one thing positive that could come out of it, AI will be able to do it so music on a recipe will probably disappear ... hopefully.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Scarily, AI will ADD the power to the big labels... now they don't need the musicians! Think about that... great points and thanks for watching.

[@budgetguitaristcom]

What people are calling AI has been around for quite a while, but it is getting better and better. I do enjoy Apple Music automatically generating a radio station for me with a combination of music I like and music I will probably like. It's better than any actual radio station. But so far it sucks as a songwriting companion. I wish it would get better, actually. The part of lyric writing that I hate is trying to find a clever way of rhyming ideas without being trite. I don't want to rhyme girl with world. C'mon now. I do think we need AI legislation sooner rather than later, but our stupid politicians don't even understand how the Internet works, let alone AI. Regardless, I shall have my popcorn ready for what comes next.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Be careful, even governments are getting involved to control AI with legislation now... Thanks for the point and for watching.

[@edstock9864]

Has no one watched the Terminator? AI will become self aware in 2030 and Keith Richards will be replaced by a poymetalic alloy robot. Sadly no one will notice the difference.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha brilliant... :)

[@Ebusje]

I always suspected Tony to be AI generated !!! I've never seen him in person. Anybody ?

[@tonymckenziecom]

Classic. I could not have written that better myself. I checked with Tony... and he tells me as an AI bot I'm doing well... ;-) and thanks for watching.

[@Ebusje]

🤣

[@dickstryker]

Feh. Better at what? Writing music? Performing it? What's the definition of good? There's tons of mechanical, product driven pop music allready. And that terrible pap has always been the big money maker over tallented, soulful geniuses with something to say. There are auto-tuners and auto-generators and drum machines and computer voices and outright rip-off clones of multiple artists. A.I. assists are no different from any of that. Just a more efficient hub for such processes. None of it has stopped you or anyone else from making music. None of it matters if the product isn't worth listening to. People don't see the puppet strings. Only the final output. If you make good music it won't matter that a computer DIDN'T do it. Just like it doesn't matter to listeners of one did. The only people who are going to lose their jobs are those same eight producers who write evey song on the top 40 and never have an original idea between them. Maybe a monstrous inhuman machine really would do better? Guess we'll see. In the meantime don't stop rocking. -not written by Chat GPT

[@tonymckenziecom]

:) A great response! You know, it's all been in the focus for some short(ish) while currently and when I saw Sting commenting on this stuff, it did make me think a little further. As it happens I already have used AI engines for some months and currently see the shortcomings of such devices in my day job. So I decided to 'offer' the question of getting the AI to write a script for a video about - well, exactly this topic. And there was a weird twist to this request. Basically you have heard the script near enough as it came to me. But note this - I specifically asked the AI bot to create a script about the 'bad' side of AI and how it could affect musicians. That was intentional to see exactly what it's reply would be. However, if you go back to the video and watch it again, you will note that the AI bot changes about half way through, and INSISTS on including what it suggested were all the 'good' side of things it claims will affect musicians and music in general. Now that really is a strange way of creating a script, by including the things I did not request, and basically in favor of AI! Once you know this little snippet, the 'script' takes on a wholly different meaning IMO, where it is trying to suggest things in its own favor :). Thanks for the post. You clearly put thought in to your response and that's really why I made the video in the first place. And thanks for watching.

[@Twobarpsi]

Halfway through....I smell a rat (AI)! I'm guessing this whole script was AI generated! It doesn't have a natural style. I used to tutor English in college, so I've read a lot of papers. This sticks out like a sore thumb! I'll comment back when I get to the end to see if I'm right.

[@Twobarpsi]

Haha! I knew it.

[@tonymckenziecom]

:) but generally people DONT see that... and it was entirely intentional... thanks

[@godsinbox]

I dont mind the idea of AI music, as long as it works like communism. hear me out. you will have the best song even written (not the tribute), and never once have to hear a million copycats.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Good point, but it might remove the jobs that make the gear currently too... Thanks for watching.

[@jeanlawson9133]

Stop buying all the digital....and computerized crap....And get a tube Amp a guitar 😎 and start making real music again..... analog... Acoustic..... and talent.... which people turned their Back on long ago....But who am I... AIN'T IT JUST AIN'T IT 😜 lols.....

[@tonymckenziecom]

:) Hey I agree! :) but read my reply to @d1strykz and hopefully that will put a different emphasis on the video and why it might make guys think in a different way. Certainly I'm personally not really a fan of AI and it will, no doubt upturn many different sectors and maybe not necessarily for the better. Thanks for the post and for watching.

[@jeanlawson9133]

Sorry if I sounded negative towards you or your video 😎 Content I should have explained my statement further... I understand and totally agree with you..... When we are convicted of a situation sometimes I rant .... Love all your videos and your talent....and abilities... technique and skill....It honestly show's....

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

What is has been has before nothing is new everything has been done there is nothing new under the sun

[@tonymckenziecom]

Not sure about that....

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

Quoting king Solomon