AI

Apple Music recommended me an AI-generated artist, and I find that disturbing. I have always loved music; it's been my retreat and a way for me to center myself, helping me find balance amid chaos. Some of my earliest memories involve music—dancing in the living room to Stevie Ray Vaughan or driving to college with Keith Urban playing as I traversed county roads and observed endless acres of corn.

Music has always been a means for me to connect with the world around me. It's an essential part of my writing process, inspiring creativity. In college, music provided solace as I studied late into the night. To this day, it helps me ground myself as I navigate the complexities of my career. Most days, I have music playing while I work; as I explore the musical landscape of the streaming world, I find beauty in everything humanity has to offer through its wondrous creations. For me, music is a reflection of what makes us human and how we choose to express our existence. 

Maybe I'm being sentimental or naïve because I understand that music can be corrupted in many ways, going beyond mere enjoyment of the art.

Yet, to me, AI feels different. It seems devoid of something distinctly human—a pale imitation of something that once carried worth and value. When an AI-generated song came on, it took only a few moments for me to realize it wasn't authentic. It was created to capture my attention, mimicking what it thought a human would enjoy, and in doing so, it revealed its own lack of existence.''

Upon hearing the song, I immediately knew something was wrong. Something was lacking; the voice wasn't right, and the lyrics were filled with meaningless structure. After looking up the artist, the song, and the album, it quickly became apparent that there was nothing of substance to be discovered. The artist had other songs, but no history or personality—just fake songs, album covers, and, apparently, a following. This particular artist has 78,702 monthly listeners, and their top song has been streamed 585,000 times. They have no information in their bio other than, "For the ones who overthink, overfeel, and never give up." While there’s nothing explicitly stating that they are "AI," it’s painfully obvious when examining their material or listening to their music.

This is what I find most concerning about AI. Despite its benefits and utility, it is, at the end of the day, just a machine—a tool, a reflection of our humanity and its creators, but it is not us. There is something deeper happening with AI that we should all contemplate, as there will come a day when we are confronted with the realities of what we have created and the impact it has on our lives. It may be years or even decades from now, but it will eventually happen. We will be confronted with the reality of what this piece of technology is and whether its existence has merit, or if it is simply something we created.

My concern is based on the fact that music and art are more than just means of communication. They are ways for us to connect through something more complex, something deeper, something shared by all who are alive. There is something special about the process of creation, particularly in art. The way we choose to express ourselves is what makes humanity beautiful. To strip that away, to rob humanity of the process of discovery, creation, and sharing, devours more than just the art; it consumes the person as well.