L ately, it feels like the conversation around generative AI in music has hit a painful standstill. On one side, there is an incredibly valid fear that human artistry is being devalued by an automated wave. On the other, creators using new tools feel defensive, worried about being cast aside or labeled as illegitimate. It is completely understandable why emotions are running so high. Music is deeply personal, and when the ways we create and earn a living change rapidly, it threatens our sense of security and identity. Many of us are feeling protective of human expression, while others are feeling inspired, or simply trying to survive, by exploring new technical frontiers. If we look back, this tension feels heavy because it echoes changes we have walked through before. The music industry did not suddenly become unstable when generative AI arrived. For decades, technology has continually shifted the ground beneath our feet. We saw it when digital audio workstations reduced our dependenc...
One coterie, many worlds.