Customized compositions for children's melodies: Is artificial intelligence capable of hitting the right notes?
In a groundbreaking move, the Songs of Love Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that has been creating personalised songs for sick children and older adults for nearly three decades, has partnered with AI music platform Suno to produce highly tailored songs using AI technology [1][2][4].
This partnership allows volunteers, even those without musical training, to create custom songs that resonate with the recipients' names, interests, and preferred music styles or languages, significantly scaling the number of songs delivered to those in need.
The unique benefits of music therapy for pediatric populations, as well as for older adults experiencing memory loss, have been highlighted in a 2024 study published in the journal Palliative Medicine [1]. The Songs of Love Foundation has long been recognised for its work in this field, having produced over 46,000 tailor-made songs for children with terminal or serious illnesses.
The emotional impact of these AI-generated personalised songs is undeniable. They have the power to evoke memories and preserve musical history for seniors, particularly resonating with elderly listeners, including those with dementia [1]. The technology has also been used creatively to restore the voice of a Songs of Love team member who lost his singing ability due to cancer.
However, there is ongoing discussion in the music community about whether AI can fully replicate the human emotion behind healing songs. While the AI enhances accessibility and volume of song production, concerns persist about whether it can entirely replace the nuanced human touch and empathy traditionally provided by musicians or music therapists [3].
Nonetheless, the general sentiment is optimistic about AI as a supportive tool to extend the foundation’s mission and reach more individuals across generations [1][2][4]. Ross Orenstein, a Songs of Love composer, feels the same sense of satisfaction when composing a song with AI as he does without it.
The Songs of Love Foundation is also relying on volunteers for its future operations. It continues to welcome contributions from musicians who wish to create songs in more traditional ways. The organisation solicits donations in cryptocurrency and aims to reach older adults with memory loss in addition to serving sick children.
It's important to note that AI companies, including Suno, are currently embroiled in lawsuits for allegedly training their large language models on musicians' work without authorization. The copyright law regarding AI companies' use of musicians' work is rapidly evolving and ambiguous. Dan Rubins, co-founder and executive director of Hear Your Song, values the depth of relationships in their programming and is wary of using AI in the middle of the relationship between songwriters and at-risk people they serve.
John Beltzer, founder and president of the Songs of Love Foundation, stated that he loves volunteering his time to write songs for people in need. The foundation has worked with professional musicians for years, and it continues to do so, seeking to engage a population steeped in music from a bygone era by partnering with Suno.
In conclusion, the Songs of Love Foundation's innovative use of AI technology is set to revolutionise the field of music therapy, providing unique benefits for both pediatric and older adult populations. Despite the ongoing discussions about the human element in AI-generated songs, the organisation remains optimistic about the potential of AI as a supportive tool in its mission to bring comfort and joy to those in need.
[1] [News Article 1 Link] [2] [News Article 2 Link] [3] [News Article 3 Link] [4] [News Article 4 Link]
- The partnership between Songs of Love Foundation and AI music platform Suno has expanded the reach of music therapy, especially for health-and-wellness, as it allows volunteers to produce personalised songs without musical training, using technology and science.
- The Songs of Love Foundation aims to extend its mission by soliciting donations in cryptocurrency and engaging volunteers in traditional music creation, while simultaneously relying on AI technology for accessibility and scaling up production.
- As AI technology progresses in music creation, it faces challenges in replicating the human emotion behind healing songs, with concerns persisting about copyright laws and the nuanced human touch traditionally provided by musicians or music therapists, particularly in the field of entertainment and education.
