Intro

What this Primer Is

This primer is an attempt to bring together my research and experience with music and AI. It is from the viewpoint of myself as an academic, a composer, and someone who interfaces with AI; in other words, my perspective is based on both theory and practice.

Part 1 provides an overview of AI and deep learning, including a discussion of the limitations of generative AI.

Part 2 outlines how the music industry has responded to AI, from musicians and labels to streaming services.

Part 3 lays out the current landscape of copyright as it applies to AI and music.

Who this Primer Is For

This primer is for anyone who has an interest in the music-AI nexus. It does not require a background in AI or music, though I believe it has value for those who have a background in either or both.

A Note on AI Use

Naturally, you may be wondering if I used AI to write this primer. I made the conscious decision to write everything myself rather than delegate it to an agent. One, because I don’t want the parts of my brain I need to use for writing to languish. Two, because I wanted to be able to formulate a structure, spark new ideas, find new connections, etc. naturally through the process of writing, which I worried using an agent would rob me of.

However, I used Apple Intelligence’s “Proofread” to check my writing for spelling and grammatical errors. I also used LLMs to audit my writing for factual errors, to suggest sources, to check my understanding of music copyright laws in the U.S., to clarify the roles of different institutions in the industry, and for broad feedback.