Since 1984, the idea of making a true self-learning artificial intelligence (AI) that was capable of playing against the best poker players in the world was already becoming a reality. In 1984, Mike Caro created the first poker AI software called ORAC, but it wasn’t until 2017 that a poker AI named Libratus was able to beat the best professional poker players consistently. Similar technology has been under development in the music world, including special AI’s that can compose, mix and master or even arrange audio. With AI now capable of beating us at our own games, will the day come that AI will be able to create music better than a human being? We explore Liberatus and how its tech can be potentially used, by looking some information from PokerSites. Also, we touch on emerging AI technology that may have producers, artists and musicians everywhere shaking in their blue swede shoes.
Libratus
Created by the robotics team at Carnegie Mellon University, Libratus sets its own strategy based on 15 million core hours of computation. Libratus analyzes its own plays every night and corrects mistakes, resulting in playing better and better each day. The result is a fully autonomous player that can learn, get better and has even learnt strategies like randomizing game play, making it impossible to know when the AI is bluffing. Libratus is the first AI to actually defeat, consistently, their human counterpart and has proven AI can undertake extreme calculations.
Music is Math
When you break down music to its parts, music itself is very mathematical. Timing and rhythm is simply a pattern, while notes played together can be broken down to the very specific sound wave ranges. In theory, a strong enough computer could compute these elements and one day create robot music.
Early Adopters
There are early entries into the AI realm that are already using AI technology to assist in the music production process. AmperMusic and Hexachords are a few examples of companies using AI to make the production process easier. Though these AI’s are still no where near the award-winning super producers that control modern pop music, it is definitely possible that these platforms could one day evolve to replace the producer altogether.
Pros & Cons of Using AI Technology in Music Creation
When it comes to the pros of using these technologies and AI in the studio, the fact is Digital music technology has already created an entirely new music industry. It is possible now for a creator to record, mix and even master their work directly from a computer. Furthermore, many of these software solutions already use some form of automation to streamline the process. As an AI wont get tired, it can be on the job without breaks.
As for cons, the main issue is the fact that an AI will likely not be able to have emotions, and thus would not have the same reaction to music, hampering the creative process. A musician who can’t connect emotionally with the music is pretty useless.
The Future
All that aside, the future and AI is coming and glimpses of that future are here, with music AI like AIVA or AmperMusic, who both claim to be able to mix and master, or even compose from scratch.
The truth is though, without the emotions that make music human, it will be decades before mainstream music goes robot. That being said, the technology definitely has incredible benefits for music producers looking to speed up the creation process. One day, they may even find it replacing them altogether.
