Cyber Soundtracks: Navigating the intersection of music, security, and AI

Over the past year, Artificial Intelligence has stirred deep conversations in the world of art — exciting some with its potential and worrying others about what it might mean for the future of creativity.

Nowhere is this tension more evident than in the music industry. The rapid emergence of AI-powered composition tools has raised a pressing question: can machines truly create music, or are they simply imitating it? Supporters see AI as a powerful creative partner, capable of producing music quickly, exploring new melodic landscapes, and expanding what is possible across genres. But critics argue that AI music lacks the emotional depth and human element that gives music its soul.

This presentation will explore:

• The ethical dilemmas surrounding AI-generated music, including questions of authorship, authenticity, and the risk of devaluing human artistry.
• How AI may contribute to a homogenization of musical styles, even as it enables broader access to creative tools
• The potential for human-AI collaboration to enrich, rather than replace, traditional artistic processes.
• Where generative AI fits in this ongoing cycle of technological transformation, and what it might mean for the next generation of artists and audiences.
• A brief history of security in the music industry, from the rise of piracy to today’s concerns regarding data rights
• A live demonstration of AI-generated music, including examples I have created myself and an explanation of the techniques I use to generate AI audio.