Research
Empire AI for Music Composition While Preserving Artistic Control
AI for Music Composition
Prof. John Thickstun | Cornell University
Creating AI tools that assist musicians in composing and editing music while preserving artistic control.
Challenge
The rise of generative AI in music has introduced new opportunities but also significant concerns. In New York State alone, the music industry supports over 3,600 composers and music directors, many of whom face uncertainty about how AI will impact their work.
Many current AI systems generate finished audio outputs, limiting opportunities for collaboration and raising questions about copyright, ownership, and artistic integrity.
The challenge is to develop AI tools that enhance creativity rather than replace it, ensuring that artists remain at the center of the creative process.
Researcher’s Approach Using Empire AI
The team develops AI systems that collaborate with musicians.
Empire AI supports training on large music datasets.
Empire AI Enables
- Collaborative AI tools
- Large-scale training
- Controllable music generation
Potential Impacts
- Supports musicians by enhancing, not replacing, creative work
- Expands access to music composition and education tools
- Preserves artistic ownership and integrity
- Promotes ethical AI use in creative industries