The Rise of AI: Reviving Music as the Main Event for Kids and the Cognitive Biases Driving the Change
Embracing AI-Driven Music Tools to Inspire a New Generation of Creative Expression and Engagement in the World of Music
If you're old enough, you might remember the excitement of buying a new album and sitting in your room to listen to the whole thing, an event in itself. However, fast forward to today, and the event for kids has shifted towards joining multiplayer role-playing games (RPGs) on platforms like Roblox or Minecraft, with music often relegated to the background as an integrated feature or gaming playlist. As a result, music has become secondary in the lives of many young people. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry has the potential to change that and bring kids back to spending their prime time with music as the main event.
AI-driven music tools can potentially transform how young people interact with music. By making music creation even more accessible, engaging, and personalized, these tools can attract young audiences who are otherwise more drawn to gaming platforms. Here are a few ways AI can make music more appealing to younger generations:
Interactive music creation: AI-driven music tools allow young people to create music without a deep understanding of music theory or access to expensive instruments.
Adaptive music experiences: AI can create adaptive music experiences that change based on the user's preferences, mood, or input.
Music games: AI-generated music can be incorporated into games, combining traditional gaming elements with music creation and appreciation.
Collaborative music-making: AI tools enable young people to collaborate on music projects with friends, even if they don't have extensive musical knowledge or skills.
Educational benefits: AI music tools can also be used to teach young people about music theory, composition, and performance.
As young people become more engaged with AI-driven music tools, several cognitive biases could be responsible for this change, making it clear that it will be impossible to reverse or stop this trend:
Social proof: Young people are highly influenced by their peers. As more kids become engaged with AI-driven music tools, others are likely to follow suit, driven by the desire to conform to the group.
Novelty effect: The rise of AI in music presents something new and exciting for young people, capturing their attention and sparking curiosity.
Self-efficacy: AI-driven music tools can empower young people by enabling them to create and collaborate on music projects, regardless of their skill level. This increased sense of self-efficacy can be a powerful motivator for continued engagement with music.
The availability heuristic: As AI-driven music tools become more accessible and integrated into popular culture, young people are more likely to encounter and engage with these tools, making them seem more prevalent and important.
Gamification and reward: AI music tools can incorporate elements of gaming, such as challenges, competitions, and rewards, which tap into the intrinsic motivation of young people to play and succeed.
Additionally, AI-driven music tools can allow young people to engage in role-playing by allowing them to create music in the style of their favorite artists. This immersive experience can make music more appealing and enjoyable for kids, as it taps into their desire to emulate and identify with popular musicians.
Here's how AI can enable young people to "become" their favorite artists for a bit:
AI-generated music styles: Advanced algorithms can analyze the musical patterns, rhythms, and melodic structures used by popular artists like Drake, and then generate new songs or beats in their signature style. Kids can use these AI-generated tracks as a foundation to create their own music that closely resembles the work of their favorite artists.
Lyric generation: AI can also assist in generating lyrics that mimic the themes, tone, and language used by popular musicians. Young people can use these AI-generated lyrics as inspiration for their songs, allowing them to "become" their favorite artists in terms of songwriting and storytelling.
Virtual avatars and performance: AI-driven platforms can enable kids to create virtual avatars that resemble popular musicians, complete with custom outfits, hairstyles, and accessories. These avatars can then be used to perform AI-generated music in virtual concerts, allowing young people to "become" their favorite artists on stage.
Voice synthesis: AI technology can synthesize famous musicians' voices, allowing young people to create songs that sound like their favorite artist sings them. This can provide an even more immersive experience and make them feel like they are truly stepping into the shoes of their favorite musician.
AI has the potential to bring music back to the forefront, especially with young audiences, albeit in a different manner than before. Artists must work even harder to build their brands and create a strong connection with their audiences, as, ironically, they can no longer rely on AI algorithms to promote their music to new audiences. The presence of AI-generated clips of an artist's music is a positive development, as it demonstrates the interest and engagement of fans. Embracing AI as a tool for creativity and innovation can ultimately empower musicians and help them thrive in this new era of the music industry.