will.i.am: What genre does AI bring to music?

Key Concepts

• Technological Genre Creation: The idea that new musical genres consistently emerge alongside significant technological advancements.
• AI as a Generative Technology: The potential for Artificial Intelligence to not simply replicate existing music, but to define a completely new musical landscape and industry.
• Industry Definition via Technology: The historical precedent of new industries (like the recording industry) being created by new technologies, rather than simply serving existing ones.
• Contemporary vs. Classical Distinction: The role of new technologies in redefining what constitutes “contemporary” versus “classical” music.

The Relationship Between Technology and Musical Genre

The core argument presented is that every significant technological innovation in music history has spurred the creation of a new musical genre. The speaker cites several examples: the electric guitar’s role in the birth of rock and roll, and the impact of samplers and turntables on the development of hip-hop. This establishes a historical pattern – technology doesn’t just enable music, it defines new musical forms. The central question posed is: what genre has Artificial Intelligence (AI) brought about?

The speaker emphasizes the breadth of existing genres – punk, rock, hip-hop, techno, R&B, blues, house, deep house, future house – to highlight the absence of a clearly defined “AI genre” thus far. This isn’t presented as a criticism, but as an indication that the full impact of AI on music is still unfolding.

Beyond Mimicry: The Emergence of a New Industry

A crucial point is made regarding the purpose of new technologies. The speaker argues that AI shouldn’t be solely used to “mimic and regurgitate” past musical styles. This is illustrated by contrasting the potential of AI with the historical development of the recording industry. The recording industry didn’t simply record and reproduce existing “classical” music; it actively defined what constituted classical music and, crucially, established a new category of “contemporary” music enabled by the technology itself.

This analogy suggests that AI’s true potential lies not in replicating existing genres, but in creating something entirely new. The speaker explicitly states that we haven’t yet seen what the “new industry” will be, implying that AI will not just change how music is made, but will fundamentally reshape the music industry itself.

Historical Precedent and Industry Creation

The transcript draws a direct parallel between AI and earlier technological shifts, specifically the invention of the printing press and the development of recording technology. Both innovations didn’t just improve existing processes; they led to the creation of entirely new industries. The printing press fostered the publishing industry, and recording technology birthed the recording industry. The speaker posits that AI will similarly generate a new “AI industry,” distinct from simply being a tool within existing music production workflows.

Notable Statement

“I don't think you use AI just to mimic and regurgitate what we did in the past. Just like the recording industry didn't mimic and regurgitate what they did or deemed classical music, it was the recording industry that said that's classical. This is contemporary.” – This statement encapsulates the central argument: AI’s potential lies in defining new musical boundaries, not simply replicating old ones.

Synthesis

The transcript argues that AI represents a paradigm shift in music creation, analogous to the impact of the electric guitar, samplers, and recording technology. The key takeaway is that AI’s potential isn’t limited to automating existing musical processes; it has the power to define a new genre, a new industry, and a new understanding of what constitutes “contemporary” music. The speaker suggests that the “AI genre” is yet to be discovered, and its emergence will be a defining moment for the future of music.