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ASCAP’s Chief Strategy & Digital Officer gives us a comprehensive and efficient overview of the evolving symphony of AI and music. From composition to distribution, we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape for musicians worldwide. We discuss the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations at play as we harmonize humanity and technology in the realm of music creation.
Guest
Joining me today is ASCAP’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy & Digital Officer, Nicholas Lehman. ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) is at the forefront of research and initiatives related to AI and music. ASCAP is a performing rights organization (PRO) founded in 1914; it was the first PRO in the US, and is the only one in the US that operates on a not-for-profit basis. It was founded by and continues to be governed by members, ensuring that every decision the Board makes is in the interest of ASCAP members as a whole.
Notes
We discuss:
- The context of how AI has influenced the landscape of music creation, distribution, and consumption
- An overview of the opportunities and challenges AI presents for music creators and industry professionals
- Collaborations between humans and AI
- AI’s role in empowering artists and composers to succeed in the digital era
- Programs and initiatives to educate and assist music creators in navigating the AI landscape effectively
- Advocacy efforts to ensure fair compensation for music creators in an AI-driven music world
- Advice for music creators on how to embrace AI while maintaining the authenticity and uniqueness of their artistic expression
- Ongoing collaborations with disparate stakeholders
- Six key, creator-centric principles guiding ASCAP’s response to AI
Connect/Other Resources
- ASCAP website
- ASCAP AI hub page: https://www.ascap.com/ai
- ASCAP via Social Media:
- ASCAP Email Newsletters: https://www.ascap.com/Email
- ASCAP’s Versed podcast
- ASCAP Lab Music and AI Challenge documentary short Prelude in AI Major: Crafting a Creator-First Future for Music & AI, (premiered March 20, 2024). A joint effort between the ASCAP Lab (ASCAP’s innovation initiative) and the NYC Media Lab, led by the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, the Challenge focused on cutting-edge concepts at the intersection of music and artificial intelligence. Five teams were selected to receive mentorship and grants to develop their emerging technologies during the 12-week challenge.
- ASCAP Supports the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act
- My previous interview with composer and ASCAP Board Member Alex Shapiro: Ep. 142: What exactly is… ASCAP and what does it offer music creators and consumers? with Alex Shapiro
- Links to some of Nick’s favorite sound meditation facilitators:
In-Episode Promo
JAMBAR: In addition to music, I am passionate about health & well-being. For me, a healthy lifestyle includes eating a diet that is mostly whole, unprocessed foods. This is pretty easy when I’m close to home, but living a full life often takes us away from a convenient refrigerator and a predictable schedule. Enter my favorite whole food energy bar. JAMBAR is a Certified Organic whole food bar, non-GMO and gluten-free. Created by a food science and nutrition expert, athlete, and musician, JAMBAR is packed with protein and fiber, and minimally sweetened with only all-natural sweeteners. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and has a one-year shelf life. These bars don’t melt, freeze, or crumble – which means they can go from a day of ice skating in Minneapolis to a trip to the beach when I’m visiting my daughter in Florida. (The only problem with the beach trips is keeping my kids from eating all my bars because they love them, too!)
Fuel your full life and healthy lifestyle with JAMBARs. Available at Amazon, select retailers, and jambar.com. For more info, you can also visit Episode 160. Links are in the show notes.
SONIX: This is a quick break to tell you about Sonix, the service that I use to transcribe these episodes. Sonix is an artificial intelligence transcription service that automatically converts audio and video files to text – and can translate to over 40 languages. I transcribe these episodes to make them more accessible. I tried multiple services, and chose to stick with Sonix because of their accuracy, affordability, and because their site is just so easy to use; that’s a big plus for me, to not need to spend a bunch of time figuring out one more platform! While I love podcasts, I do tend to be a very visual learner. I figure other people probably are, too; and having that written form of your work just makes it more versatile. Sonix transcripts make the most of your hard work and can increase traffic to your site. Sonix is spelled s-o-n-i-x. You can check them out with a free trial PLUS an extra 100 minutes of free transcription by using the link sonix.ai/invite/enhancelife100. There’s a link in the show notes. Again, it’s sonix.ai/invite/enhancelife100 for a free trial AND an extra 100 minutes of free transcription.
Coda
Nick shares about the importance of sound, specifically sound meditation and deep listening practices, in his personal and professional life. He keeps a crystal singing bowl in his office and gives us a sonic “taste” by playing it for a moment!
Closing Words
Okay, that sound bowl really has me intrigued; I’m going to have to check those out! Thank you so much to Nick for joining us today and providing this comprehensive but efficient overview of this fascinating topic. Nick has provided tons of links for the show notes, to take you exactly where you want to go on ASCAP’s website. There are links to their AI hub, email newsletter, and some of Nick’s favorite sound meditation facilitators. ASCAP also has a podcast, called Versed; and they premiered a documentary short last month on their AI Challenge: Prelude in AI Major: Crafting a Creator-First Future for Music & AI. In the AI Challenge, five teams were selected to receive mentorship and grants to develop their emerging technologies during the 12-week challenge. Head to the show notes for direct links to all of these resources, as well as a transcript of this episode.
You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, may your life be enhanced with music.
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