OpenAI’s Jukebox: Next Generational Model of Music?

Back From The Brink

From music streaming services using data algorithms to home devices playing music from our voices, we have well over discussed the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence impacting the consumption of music in the industry. Now? Now, we have a device that actually uses voices to create music. From old artists to new, this is an entirely new machine at the forefront.

What is Jukebox?

We’re introducing Jukebox, a neural net that generates music, including rudimentary singing, as raw audio in a variety of genres and artist styles.
https://openai.com/blog/jukebox/

Basically, provided with genre, artist and lyrics as input, with the magic of curated samples, Jukebox outputs a new music sample produced from nothing but dust. Simply put, the resemblance to some of the most iconic artists in the industry is uncanny.

From listening to Rock in the style of Elvis Presley, to listening to Pop in the style of Katy Perry, I believe we have stumbled on something that could present itself a challenge further down the line. With just the magic of this system, they have created samples sounding almost identical to the artist intended. With most of the work presenting itself as “re-renditions” of their style, it would be quite easy to take them for new releases.

The Future of Music with Jukebox

Where problems occur with sound quality and chorus retention, Jukebox makes it up in presenting thought-provoking – but scary – ideas where we might see this model in the future.

It sets the example that in the debate of man v machine in terms of technology, machine is most definitely leading, with now technology capable of essentially replacing our favourite artists at the push of a button.

With this in mind, what would stop record labels to intentionally carry out new releases from the signed artists to make up for the amount for demand? What would stop them to release new songs from artists who are no longer alive?

This release of technology allows to break the rules and go on to push further with what can be achieved in our fields. And not just in the music industry, too. With the sheer power of marketing, it seems that people with instant recognisable voices can be used to influence and manipulate others.

The Technology Plan

With a storyline inspirational enough to make the cut in Black Mirror, it shows we are playing with things that we are not really ready to play with. I mean, just Jukebox creators, OpenAI’s philosophy rings alarm bells, surely?

OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—by which we mean highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work—benefits all of humanity.
https://openai.com/about/

The fact that we are thinking new ways to outperform humans is slightly terrifying. But, what if I’m looking at this all wrong? Maybe I am looking at the negatives and letting my imagination get the better of me. Maybe too much Terminator has caused me to never trust AI in the future.

But, what if Jukebox did some good in the world?

You can find out further information on their site below.