Sheryl Crow recently shared her thoughts on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the arts during her appearance on The Tonight Show. The singer-songwriter discussed how she approached writing her upcoming album, Evolution, and revealed that the title song is about AI.
Crow explained that her philosophy for writing songs on the album was to create music that is meaningful and reflective of the current moment. Instead of writing an entire book, she decided to condense her ideas into sentences that ultimately became songs. The first song she wrote was “Evolution,” which discusses AI while referencing The Beatles. However, Crow admitted that the topic has been disturbing to her.
The singer went on to share a personal experience she had with AI in music creation. She participated in a session where a young songwriter had an incredible song but needed a male singer to pitch it to singers in Nashville. With just $5, the songwriter inputted John Mayer’s name into an AI program, and what Crow heard was mind-blowing. The AI-generated vocals sounded just like Mayer, mimicking not only his voice but also his inflections.
While Crow acknowledged the impressiveness of AI technology, she expressed her fear and discomfort with its implications for art and songwriting. She perceives art as something deeply connected to the soul and finds it alarming that AI, which is far more advanced than the human brain, could potentially remove the soul from creative expression.
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The impact of AI on the entertainment industry, including music, has sparked controversy and ongoing debates. Contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and studios/streamers have been influenced by discussions surrounding AI. Additionally, questions have arisen about whether songs created with AI technology should be eligible for Grammy Awards.
In September, Harvey Mason Jr., the head of the Recording Academy, addressed this issue and clarified the eligibility rules for AI-generated songs. This came after reports that an AI song that imitates vocals by Drake and The Weeknd had been submitted for Grammy consideration. Mason Jr. stated that although the AI-written song, “Heart on My Sleeve,” was not eligible because the vocals were not legally obtained and cleared by the label or artists.
Mason Jr. emphasized how seriously the Recording Academy takes the matter of AI in music. He highlighted the complex and fast-evolving nature of AI technology, acknowledging that further changes and adaptations will be necessary. However, he reassured artists that the Academy’s main goal is to support, advocate for, protect, and represent human artists and creators.
In conclusion, Sheryl Crow’s perspective on AI in the arts reflects her concerns about the potential impact of advanced technology on creative expression. Her personal encounter with AI in music creation and the ongoing debates in the entertainment industry highlight the complexities surrounding AI’s role in art and its recognition. As AI continues to advance, further discussions and guidelines will be necessary to ensure the protection and representation of human artists and their unique contributions to the arts.
