World music genres, from Afrobeat and Qawwali to Gamelan and Tango, reflect the cultural heartbeat of regions across the globe. They carry with them rich histories, unique instrumentation, and deeply rooted traditions that have evolved over centuries.
As a new phenomenon, artificial intelligence, continues to reshape music production, distribution, and consumption, an important question emerges: how will this transformative technology impact the development and preservation of these niche world music genres? This article explores the impact Artificial Intelligence will have on world music, highlighting the importance of preserving the breadth and diversity of the music market.
The Positive Potential of AI for World Music
Just like in commercial spaces, AI carries benefits that would undoubtedly benefit creators of world music. AI-driven transcription software can help preserve endangered musical traditions by digitizing and documenting them, while these algorithms can assist in analyzing and cataloging vast archives of traditional music, making these cultural treasures more accessible to scholars, musicians, and audiences worldwide. AI's generative capabilities can even empower collaborations between artists from different traditions.
AI Training and Its Effect on World Music
AI models learn by analyzing vast datasets of accessible existing music. The nature and quality of this data determines that of their capabilities. However, these datasets used often lean heavily toward popular, commercial Western genres such as pop, rock, or hip-hop. As a result, AI tools may inadvertently reinforce existing biases, underrepresenting lesser-known world music traditions.
If an AI music generator were trained primarily on Western scales and rhythms, it might struggle to authentically recreate the microtonal melodies of Middle Eastern Maqam or the polyrhythmic complexity of West African drumming, for example. This lack of representation could lead to the dilution of these genres, as AI-generated interpretations may fail to capture the intricate nuances that define them.
Creativity Meets Homogenization
For creators of niche, less-celebrated world music styles, AI technology has the potential to democratize access to advanced writing and production tools, enabling musicians from underserved regions to bring their unique sounds to global audiences.
However, as AI-driven platforms standardize production techniques, there’s a risk that the unique quality of world music could be lost in favor of more commercial and palatable sounds. Often, these styles are appreciated for their eccentricities, imperfections and cultural nuances; all of which could be over-commercialized and lost in an AI-fronted music production process. This could lead to a severe homogenization, with distinct musical identities replaced by a more uniform global soundscape.
Bias in AI Recommendations
AI doesn’t just create music—it also shapes the way we consume it. Recommendation algorithms on streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube often determine which tracks reach listeners. Unfortunately, these algorithms are designed to prioritize engagement, often favoring mainstream genres over niche ones.
For world music, this means that even when traditional sounds are integrated into AI-created compositions, they may struggle to gain visibility on global platforms. The challenge then becomes not just preserving these genres but ensuring they remain accessible and relevant to new generations.
Conclusion
The future of world music genres in the age of AI is a complex blend of opportunity and challenge. While AI has the power to democratize access and amplify global reach, it also poses risks of bias, homogenization, and cultural erosion. The key lies in striking a balance—leveraging AI as a tool to celebrate and preserve diversity while safeguarding the unique qualities that make world music genres so invaluable.
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