For creatives, the rise of AI posits the most pressing ethical dilemma of our age: will AI supersede human creativity? We believe the answer is a firm no and that – provided we set clear boundaries – AI can only enhance human creativity. The truth is AI is already an invaluable resource for many creatives, offering a means to streamline processes, undertake grunt work and help creators overcome creative blocks. Indeed, as The Drum reported from this year’s SXSW, “AI isn’t a shiny new object anymore. It’s an urgent capability. The question for marketers isn’t whether to use AI – but how to use it responsibly, creatively and strategically.”
In this blog we look at the use of AI in content creation, from visual generation to scriptwriting and video editing, and explain what the role of music is in this brave new world.
AI Content Trends
Increasingly, AI tools are utilised as collaborators in the creative process rather than as mere automation tools. Platforms like ChatGPT, Canva AI and Jasper are assisting marketers and creators in ideation, personalisation and storytelling, enhancing human creativity without replacing it. AI also enables real-time, hyper-personalised content delivery based on user behaviour and preferences, helping marketing teams to provide tailored experiences that resonate with individual consumers.
There are multiple AI tools that assist with visual generation, from Adobe Firefly and FLUX.1 to Reve and Midjourney. Generating unique images from text prompts can be useful in the ideation process, offering creatives the opportunity to further refine the results.
When it comes to video, technological advancements are helping to enable the creation of high quality synthetic media, including text-to-video content. For example, Google's Veo 3 AI model boasts unique native audio generation capability along with high-quality video output in 4K resolution.
There are also a raft of AI-powered tools designed to enhance video content once captured. Adobe Premier Pro offer generative extend (allowing users to extend content by generating additional frames or missing ambient sound) and media intelligence (allowing editors the ability to search footage for locations, camera angles and more). Other AI tools for video editors include automatic transcript generation and translation, smart masking and tracking tools.
For scriptwriters, content creators and marketers, AI can proofread and offer notes on content, as well as optimise copy for search engines. Meanwhile, AI-powered platforms continue to streamline the research process. For example, at Audio Network we use AI-powered smart search to aid music discovery on our website, making the process of finding the perfect track faster and more intuitive.
AI Music Trends
AI is also revolutionising music creation, helping producers and musicians with everything from generating new sounds to midi composition. Though generative AI music is freely available, using it remains a moral and legal minefield, as proven by 2024 controversy around Drake’s ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ in which used AI to mimic Tupac and Snoop Dogg’s vocals. The Canadian rapper subsequently took down the track from his social media platforms.
Not only is there copyright ambiguity around music created via generative AI, there are originality issues baked-in thanks to the fact that generative AI tools are trained on music that already exists. Both of these factors contribute to brand safety concerns, and the only sure-fire way to protect your reputation in a commercial environment is to use high quality, rights-cleared music.
At Audio Network we boast a world-class catalogue of pre-cleared music, created by real artists and composers, offering creators a simple way to secure music clearance for their projects. Because we license our music per project or video, with just one licence you’re covered globally, forever, on multiple platforms.
With over 280,000 tracks on offer, covering every genre, style and mood imaginable – and with stems available on selected tracks – we offer a world of choice. Plus we make it easy for you to discover the right piece of music with our super-fast AI-powered search tools and hand-curated collections and playlists, including regularly updated playlists of background music and new releases. In addition, our in-house team of music experts are always on hand to advise on any brief.
Learn more about AI music licensing in our guide to music licensing and our music licensing glossary.
AI & Authenticity
Used sparingly and in the correct context, AI can be a powerful creative tool. But when it comes to shaping truly impactful content with emotional resonance, AI is no substitute for human intelligence and creative judgment.
For example, in 2023, Taco Bell brought back a cult menu item with a nostalgic ad, soundtracked by Harvey Danger’s 2000s-smash ‘Flagpole Sitta’. The song’s inclusion sparked instant recognition and an emotional connection that simply couldn’t have been achieved with an AI-generated song in the style of pop punk.
To quote The Drum, it’s important to “set clear boundaries for where AI adds value and where human judgment must remain. Use AI to raise the floor, but let creativity raise the ceiling.”
More More More!
Now you know all about AI content trends, why not check out more of our blogs, from what is sonic branding and why licensing music for social media is a smarter choice than using free libraries to how to license a song for video and how to find music for YouTube videos, TikTok or Instagram.
Need Music for Your Project?
At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!
