Stability AI, a London-based startup, has released Stable Audio 2.0, a significant update to its music-generation platform, sparking concerns about the potential impact of generative AI on human talent in the creative industries. The new version boasts the capability to create high-quality, full tracks with coherent musical structure lasting up to three minutes in length at 44.1kHz stereo, a significant improvement over the original version. This advancement is likely to heighten concerns about the future of human creativity in the music industry.
One of the key features of Stable Audio 2.0 is its ability to transform audio samples into a wide range of sounds using natural language prompts. The startup has shared a YouTube video demonstrating the feature, showcasing the potential for audio inputs to be used to create new music. This feature is particularly noteworthy, as it allows users to build upon their own audio samples, effectively giving them control over the creative process.
The new model has been trained exclusively on a licensed dataset from the AudioSparx music library, comprising over 800,000 audio files. This ensures that fair compensation is given to creators and respects their opt-out requests. Stability AI is well aware of the controversy surrounding AI-generated content and the need to address concerns about intellectual property rights.
Stability AI’s Groundbreaking Update in Music Generation
The launch of Stable Audio 2.0 comes amidst growing concerns about the impact of AI on the music industry. Just days ago, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, and other artists expressed their worries about the use of AI and called for protection against the “predatory use of AI to steal artists’ voices and likenesses.” The letter, signed by over 200 artists, underscores the growing need for the creative community to address the issue of AI-generated content.
The implications of Stable Audio 2.0 on the music industry are far-reaching, and the concerns raised by artists are valid. The ability for AI to create music that is not only coherent but also engaging and high-quality raises questions about the role of humans in the creative process. As AI continues to advance, it is essential for industry professionals and policymakers to address the ethical and intellectual property concerns surrounding AI-generated content.
The release of Stable Audio 2.0 is a significant milestone in the development of generative AI, offering a new level of control and flexibility in music generation. While the update promises to democratize access to creative tools, it also raises important questions about the future of human creativity and the need for fair compensation for creators. As the music industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to address these concerns and strike a balance between technology and creativity.
