COSMIC, described in a 2021 NIME publication, is a music tool that
brings the concept of AI-assisted creativity into the field of
music, much like ChatGPT does for text. It's designed to make music
composition more accessible, including those who may not have a lot
of knowledge around creating music. By using natural language
processing, COSMIC understands user inputs and converts them into
music in a generative way.
The tool's functionality is similar to that of ChatGPT in several
ways. Both are powered by AI to interpret human input and generate
creative output, though COSMIC solely focuses on music. This
parallel raises important considerations about the future of
creative professions. As AI technologies like COSMIC and ChatGPT
become more advanced, they could potentially change traditional
roles in their respective fields.
One key aspect of COSMIC is its potential to create a new type of
musician — one who can use AI to bring unique ideas to life without
needing to master instruments or composition theory. This could lead
to more innovative and diverse musical creations, since individuals
from various backgrounds could contribute their unique view and
creativity to music.
However, the rise of AI tools in creative industries also opens up
discussions about the authenticity of art. When an AI contributes
significantly to the process, it may challenge our traditional views
on authorship and creativity. Are the final products really human
creations, or are they collaborations between humans and machines?
And if it's a collaboration, how should we credit each contributor's
role?
Despite these points, the integration of AI like COSMIC in music
creation also sounds exciting. It gives a glimpse into a future
where anyone with an idea can explore music creation, potentially
leading to a richer, more varied musical landscape. Also, it might
inspire similar innovations in other creative fields.
