Make It Up As You Go

Within the span of a few years, we've seen the marvels of AI progress from a mutant Will Smith shoving a hamburger into a spontaneously forming mouth hole on the side of his face, to videos and images that even the most seasoned cinematographer would struggle to identify as being generated out of thin RAM. Even to the point where AI can now generate complete songs from start to finish, with proper genre-appropriate instruments and chord progressions, lyrics, and vocals fit for the charts. It's absolutely insane.

Many have shared their concerns, especially regarding the future of the arts. I mean, if a computer can make the equivalent of a chart-topping hit single, why do we still need the Biebers and the Carpenters? As somewhat of a musician myself, I do understand the concern, although I am not yet convinced that it's really such a bad thing.

If your concern lies with the idea that AI-generated music will all start to sound the same after a while, I would have to question your involvement in reality, as that is a bridge we crossed a long time ago. Even today, with the normal human tunes, it's hard to tell when one song ends and the next begins. They even use the same four chords, over and over again.

There are other factors to consider, sure. Factors that I am much too lazy to explore at this time. One thing that I am actually excited for is the desolation of the Hollywood empire. Hear me out:

It is a firm belief of mine that AI will one day reach the point where it single-handedly revitalizes the entertainment industry. Let's imagine this together: instead of having monthly subscriptions to ninety-six different streaming services that are all chock-full of programs you don't watch anyway—ironically, the main reason you subscribed to these services is because the previous one was expensive and filled with nothing, oh how times have changed—instead of all that, you have one subscription. To an AI.

You tell this AI exactly what kind of movie or series you're in the mood for, what the grand overall story should be, and off she goes. A whole show, made specially and specifically for you. I, for one, would be very interested in a grand retelling of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings franchise, but have every single character be replaced by Morgan Freeman. Every single one. The idea of having the voice of March of the Penguins saying "my precious" just tickles me all over. Wouldn't you love to finally see a visual representation of your favorite novel? Without all the bureaucratic flatulence and politically correct blubber suffocating the beauty that attracted you in the first place?

Sure, some actors and actresses will probably lose their jobs. And what a job to lose—getting paid to pretend you're someone else for a few weeks. But in the end, you can't stand in the way of progress. I would much rather watch a story that I know will be good—because I told it to be—than hope someone else won't absolutely destroy a priceless story because they felt it needed a more politically relevant message.

Because remember: imaginary creatures have rights too.