AI and Music: The Future of Creativity? A Conversation with Wong Kwan Chi

Is there still room for human creativity in a world where AI can produce music, paint pictures, and write books? It’s hard to imagine that the idea of generating music without going through an elaborate production process was unheard of just ten years ago. However, in 2022, you no longer need instruments or expensive studios to create your own songs.

All you need is an app on your phone, and if you’re really ambitious, learn how to use GarageBand on your laptop. With the introduction of AI, there are new tools for artists to create and distribute their work more efficiently than ever before. As a result of these developments, many people fear that creativity will become obsolete and artists will lose their relevance.

As a tech enthusiast and artist, Wong Kwan Chi has a different opinion. Kwan Chi sees the recent developments in artificial intelligence as an opportunity for creatives to explore new territory. Even though these tools can simplify most of the work an artist does in their creative process, Kwan Chi admits there are some drawbacks to AI-generated art. The lack of soulfulness and depth that art created by a human has is one major differentiator between AI-generated art and what an artist creates. This can make the former less effective, which means you can’t rely on it to entertain your audience just yet.

Kwan Chi says completely AI-compiled music remains a dream for now, but the tools still have their place in the industry. In his case, they are why he embarked on his music journey because they helped him overcome some of the major challenges most newbies in the music industry experience. “In my songs, some of the music is synthesized by AI,” Kwan Chi discloses. However, the artist notes that the human element, which gives the music resonance with the audience, must come from the artists themselves until such a time when AI technology matures.

What will completely AI-compiled music look like? Kwan Chiadmits it’s hard to foresee or predict that. He maintains that the human senses are still crucial in the creation process, and AI technology is far from achieving that. Kwan Chi says that the best an artist can do for now is leverage the rapid changes in tech to simplify their work, from production to distribution.

As an entrepreneur, tech startup owner, and musician, he has witnessed the impact of tech-driven changes in different industries and has seen firsthand how they affect the players in said fields. From that, he’s learned you can integrate content from different sectors and use it to succeed.

While others see a bleak future for musicians and artists, Kwan Chi sees a world of limitless possibilities for artists who are willing to innovate. Despite AI and machine-learning advancements, Kwan Chi maintains the reality is not as grim as it may sound at the moment.

An artist who goes above and beyond to create a genuine experience for their audience will still shine, and one who collaborates with others will be even more effective. Kwan Chi’s goal is to be the latter type of musician, bringing the art of music to the extreme. As he sees it, there has never been a better time to explore new possibilities and take his career as an artist to the next level.