"AI is the Unstoppable Force That's Redefining Music Ownership"
In a bold statement, Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart has declared that artificial intelligence (AI) is an "unstoppable force" in the music industry. With this assertion comes a call to action: musicians and artists must adapt to the changing landscape by licensing their work to generative AI platforms.
These platforms use sophisticated algorithms to analyze existing songs, allowing them to generate new tracks that mimic specific styles or themes. For instance, an artist could ask an AI platform to create a song about a night out in style reminiscent of Britpop bands. The result is a unique composition that draws from the knowledge base of established artists.
Industry giants Universal and Warner have already partnered with AI platforms like Udio and Suno to offer users the opportunity to make their own music based on licensed work. However, this collaboration has sparked debate about ownership rights. While companies argue that artists must opt-in to these services and receive royalties, Stewart believes that everyone should be selling or licensing their skills to these companies.
"Ill-advised" as it may seem, Stewart sees AI not as a replacement for human creativity but rather as a tool to augment artistic expression. In his opinion, the music industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with the disintegration of giant corporations controlling artists at its core.
To counteract this shift, Stewart has launched Rare Entity, a new venture aiming to give creatives total control and ownership of their work. This model seeks to bridge the gap between artistic vision and commercial success by providing financial support for projects and sharing in the earnings generated by the funded ventures.
For Stewart, the inspiration behind Rare Entity dates back to his own struggles with Eurythmics in the early 1980s. The company has undergone significant development since its inception, driven by Stewart's desire to empower artists in a rapidly changing industry.
By embracing AI as a creative force, rather than resisting it, Stewart believes that musicians and artists can harness its power to drive innovation and democratize music ownership. In his own words, "Thou shalt not know exactly what thou dost, but thou shalt do it."
In a bold statement, Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart has declared that artificial intelligence (AI) is an "unstoppable force" in the music industry. With this assertion comes a call to action: musicians and artists must adapt to the changing landscape by licensing their work to generative AI platforms.
These platforms use sophisticated algorithms to analyze existing songs, allowing them to generate new tracks that mimic specific styles or themes. For instance, an artist could ask an AI platform to create a song about a night out in style reminiscent of Britpop bands. The result is a unique composition that draws from the knowledge base of established artists.
Industry giants Universal and Warner have already partnered with AI platforms like Udio and Suno to offer users the opportunity to make their own music based on licensed work. However, this collaboration has sparked debate about ownership rights. While companies argue that artists must opt-in to these services and receive royalties, Stewart believes that everyone should be selling or licensing their skills to these companies.
"Ill-advised" as it may seem, Stewart sees AI not as a replacement for human creativity but rather as a tool to augment artistic expression. In his opinion, the music industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with the disintegration of giant corporations controlling artists at its core.
To counteract this shift, Stewart has launched Rare Entity, a new venture aiming to give creatives total control and ownership of their work. This model seeks to bridge the gap between artistic vision and commercial success by providing financial support for projects and sharing in the earnings generated by the funded ventures.
For Stewart, the inspiration behind Rare Entity dates back to his own struggles with Eurythmics in the early 1980s. The company has undergone significant development since its inception, driven by Stewart's desire to empower artists in a rapidly changing industry.
By embracing AI as a creative force, rather than resisting it, Stewart believes that musicians and artists can harness its power to drive innovation and democratize music ownership. In his own words, "Thou shalt not know exactly what thou dost, but thou shalt do it."