G.E.M. Tang on generative AI: It can only replace non-top musicians.
Hong Kong's well-known singer-songwriter G.E.M. Tang recently visited San Francisco during her world tour and talked extensively about her views on generative AI technology in a vlog.
During her trip to San Francisco, G.E.M. Tang interacted with AI entrepreneurs, one of whom shared a generative AI music product created by a friend, showcasing works that 'imitate' G.E.M. Tang's musical style.
After listening to the work, G.E.M. Tang stated: "I can confidently say that I write better than it (AI)." She believes she has the ability to create original works, but AI models are trained based on her creations, so AI will always lag a step behind and can only replace those non-top professionals (musicians).
People like to listen to certain songs not only because they are pleasant to hear, but also because they appreciate the story and values conveyed behind them. For example, in the song 'Dot' created by G.E.M. Tang, it not only reflects her 12-year musical journey but also subtly hints at disputes with her former agency, suggesting that the past there has become a full stop.
Image Source: YouTube G.E.M. Tang discusses generative AI.
The impact of generative AI technology on the art world, where does humanity's true advantage lie?
Entrepreneurs point out that AI technology can transcend time, able to conduct 1,000 years of training and simulation environments in just one hour, and then iterate, which is a capability that humans cannot achieve; however, humans also have unique advantages that AI cannot replicate.
G.E.M. Tang pointed out: "Humanity's true advantage lies in humanistic emotions, in your ability to perceive, experience, and grow, slowly developing different possibilities." Unless machines can achieve 'conscious awakening' in the future, they currently cannot produce works with warmth.
After the explosive growth of generative AI technology, many people are worried about whether they will lose their jobs. In the field of art, G.E.M. Tang is more concerned about a problem: the aesthetic appreciation of the new generation of humans has undergone significant changes.
"If they have not seen what warm works looked like in the past, they might think that what we have now is good enough."
In the Japanese animation industry, there are also practitioners concerned about aesthetic changes.
Taiwanese animation studio Erzhi Society's producer Tseng Pin-chiao previously pointed out when discussing AI animation works that if most people believe AI output is sufficient for entertainment, then industry standards will inevitably decline, ultimately leading to 'technological advancement, but a regression in industrial civilization.'
Further Reading:
Taiwanese animator comments on Japan's first AI TV animation: The chance of completely replacing artistic work is very low.
A very dangerous era: AI exacerbates the problem of not thinking independently.
Another concern for G.E.M. Tang is that since the birth of Google, many people have become accustomed to seeking all answers through it, and AI may exacerbate this situation, making people less inclined to think independently, verify, and conduct in-depth research (Dig Deep). "We are in a very dangerous era because it is difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood."
Image Source: YouTube G.E.M. Tang discusses generative AI.
However, most technologies are neutral and depend on how humans use them. G.E.M. Tang believes that creative humans can collaborate with AI, which transcends time dimensions, to achieve an effect of 1+1>2.
However, if users have endless desires and do not have a 'clean heart', then the products created in collaboration with AI may not fulfill the original purpose and may instead infringe upon the creator's intentions.
The future of art may be a dance between human emotions and technology; our perception, growth, and unique experiences will always be valuable assets that AI cannot replicate.
Further Reading:
In the age of AI, we must maintain our original creative intentions! Reflecting on Naoki Urasawa's remarks, why can't AI surpass humans?
'G.E.M. Tang on AI: It can only replace non-top musicians, we are in a very dangerous era' was first published in 'Crypto City.'