TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Artificial intelligence is everywhere, from search tools, to banking, and now it’s in music.
Whether AI is used to remove lyrics, or create a song entirely from a simple prompt, the technology has drawn praise and pushback.
Max Dannenberg, Jacob Dannenberg, and Adam Thorton – who make up the band Lenny and the D – said their group does not use AI in their songs.
“I think [AI] is a gimmick,” said Max Dannenberg. “Being able to tell a story, something that comes from a human element, is what music’s all about.”
LaDarius Daniels said he uses artificial intelligence to take lyrics out of music and to master a song. On Sunday, he was playing the saxophone at Texas Music City in Tyler as part of ‘Make Music Day,’ which is a nationwide event with artists performing across America.
“AI helps us, but it shouldn’t just take over 100%. It should be there to help us with creativity, not just be the full creativity,” Daniels said. “If used correctly, it can be a game changer in the music industry.”
Jared Chapman, who has been playing instruments for more than 20 years, said for him there is no better feeling than seeing an audience clap for an original creation, but has concerns AI will take that away.
“If I were to use AI, I feel like I’d just be like an imposter… to where I’m just pretending,” Chapman said.
“I hear the cost of how much water is used,” added Chapman, “I’m like, it’s not worth it.”
A common sentiment among the musicians is that AI can be useful, but there’s nothing quite like an authentic performance.
“That authenticity of a song writer, making their songs and just like, I would like an audience to connect with that more than just something where you just type it into a prompt,” Chapman said.
“I don’t think a bubble is popping,” said Max Thorton. “I think AI is kind of like in the World’s Fair days right now where the toy part of it is being pushed around… but then it’s just going to fall down to smaller applications.”
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