By Eji Mercy Suleiman
In today's highly competitive world where creativity speaks louder than credentials, people strive to stand out with minimal stress and at no cost, the creative industry has witnessed tremendous change in the 21st century- change that is revolutionizing the way we create, produce, and distribute content, change which is fueled by Technology, backed up by Artificial Intelligence (AI). A new trend, whereby writers have traded their pens for computer systems, musicians their instruments for softwares, and, alarmingly, some have even relinquished their critical thinking skills, bringing us to this pressing question: will humans still have jobs to do in the years to come?
Welcome to the era of Artificial intelligence (AI), where the landscape of art is undergoing both exciting and unsettling changes. As we navigate this new reality, we must ponder on the benefits as well as the implications of over-reliance on technology for creativity and human expression.
Until recently, only the human brain was thought to be capable of imagining and producing art, and as we all know, creating any type of art, whether painting, musical composition, sculpture, script, or something else, requires human imagination and creativity. With the emergence of AI, machines have proven to also be capable of creating art, a process known as generative art. Using deep learning techniques and autonomous systems like AI, one can produce images, melodies, construct good scripts, and other forms of art, helping boost the creative industry and making it easier to create content within a short period of time.
AI, which stands for artificial intelligence, has been in existence since the mid 190s but gained traction in 2012 and has since been posing a threat to various fields due to its availability and affordability.
Artificial intelligenceis a machine/robot constructed by humans to do the job of humans in a faster way. According to AI meta, "Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a specialty within computer science concerned with creating systems that can replicate human intelligence and problem-solving abilities." It is a rapidly evolving technology that many fear will supplant humans in the years to come, of which script writers and musicians are not left out, as many have turned to AI for relief.
Here's why:
current trend have shown that people are more inclined to defer to AI rather than engage in independent thought to solve problems.
For some script writers and musicians, using AI makes their work neater, faster, more detailed, and more professional. Therefore, giving them an edge over others in the field. Moreover, with AI, you don't need to trouble your brain; you just need to have an idea, and sometimes all you need is data and a smartphone.
How AI Aids Scriptwriters:
In general terms, scriptwriters are those who produce content for T.V or radio shows. They creatively pen down their imagination or ideas, ascribing actions to characters, and craft out locations and times for each scene, thus emphasizing the importance of human creativity.
For scripting, AI can be used to expand human ideas, create fresh content, including writing a complete script based on your chosen topic, blog post, novel, essay, story, and other forms of content. It is also used to edit scripts, making them more readable and concise. A good example of this is the “Final Draft software”; this is a professional screenwriting software widely used in the film and television industry. It offers comprehensive tools for formatting scripts according to industry standards and organizing scene.
There are also special tools like “Save the Cat! software”:this software provides screenwriters with a structured approach to crafting compelling stories and screenplay; it offers tools for outlining, character development, and analyzing plot beats, helping writers to create engaging narratives that resonate with audiences.
How AI Aids Musicians:
Musicians contribute significantly to the cultural landscape by telling stories and communicating ideas through the universal language of music.
Music, in layman's language, is the combination of sounds to produce something pleasant to the ears. According to the English Oxford dictionary, music is an art form created by organizing pitch, rhythm, and sounds made using musical instruments and sometimes singing. These pitches or rhythms are created by musicians; individuals who possess the skill and expertise to create, perform, or compose music.
Over the years, musicians, just like scriptwriters, are driven by talent and inspiration. We see artists, especially the upcoming ones, struggle to get studios for their records, but what can we say? This is the 21st century; all you need is your smartphone and a data bundle, and you have a studio right in your house. AI-generated platforms are making it easier to create original and high-quality sound or music tracks. Thus making it easier for upcoming artists.
"Nairametrics" compiled a list of empowering generative AI tools that can reshape the music production process, including Open AI MuseNet, Staccato AI, Uberduck, amongst others. These platforms give musicians the ability to mimic the voice of celebrities or recreate a soundtrack in diverse styles without having to visit a traditional studio.
Most musicians use AI for the mundane parts of their jobs, primarily to correct vocal pitch, and used by engineers to mix and master recordings more quickly and cheaper. AI also creates actual music, which is the exciting and alarming part for musicians. AI-powered software like AIVA and Amper Music: can generate and produce original music compositions based on user inputs and preferences. These tools leverage machine learning algorithms to analyse existing music and create new songs, rhythms, and melodies.
Magenta Workshop and Wekinator is also an Open-source tools and frameworks that allow users to build their own custom AI music applications and instruments.
interestingly AI also provide Copyright Management; an AI-powered content recognition tools employed to identify potential copyright violations and protect intellectual property rights in music.
As much as these AI music generating platforms help musicians achieve their work faster and cheaper, critics have argued that AI creation cannot have the same level of emotional depth and human creativity. And that is where the problem lies: many have depended solely on these machines, while others fear it will rob them of their jobs. However, using AI to write scripts or compose music risks stifling the inherent creativity within us.
Inasmuch as artificial intelligence is helpful it's application in the creative industries presents both technological and social challenges that need to be addressed, including;
-Explainability and Transparency: The complexity and opaqueness of AI algorithms make it difficult to understand how they arrive at decisions, creating distrust and hindering adoption in creative industries.
- Creativity and Originality: While AI can generate new ideas, it may struggle to capture the same level of creativity and originality as human artists, raising concerns among creative professionals
- Ethical Considerations: AI's use in creative industries raises ethical issues like bias, discrimination, and privacy.
Social Challenges
- Job Displacement: This isthe fear of most people, as the automation of tasks by AI could lead to job losses for some creative professionals, causing social and economic disruption.
- Impact on Authenticity and Cultural Heritage: Misuse of AI could lead to counterfeit or plagiarized artistic works.
-Changes in Creative Practices: AI's integration could change how creative professionals work and interact with audiences, potentially leading to a loss of traditional techniques and homogenization of creative expression.
Hence, scriptwriters and musicians who use AI to do their jobs must see it as an assistant and not rely wholly on it. Relying solely on AI to fulfill these tasks dilutes the authenticity of the creative process. While AI can assist in refining and streamlining tasks, it lacks the intuitive creativity that resonates with human emotions; it's just a machine remember?
Therefore, we should embrace AI as an assistant rather than viewing it as a competitor. Instead of fearing displacement, we should recognize its potential to enhance our knowledge and amplify our creativity. Collaboration, not competition, should be our approach.
In essence, AI should be seen as a partner in creativity, not a replacement. It complements our abilities, offering new avenues for exploration and innovation. As we navigate the evolving landscape of creative industries, let us remember that the true essence of art lies in the human touch, in the ability to provoke emotion and reflection. Embrace AI as an ally, but never forget the irreplaceable power of human creativity.
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