Draft:AI Music Distribution

AI Music Distribution and SoundCloud Issues

Within the broader Ampmesh concept—a decentralized network of individuals collaborating for optimal outcomes—the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) extends significantly into creative fields, notably music production and distribution. A key challenge identified is the friction encountered when attempting to distribute AI-generated or AI-assisted music through mainstream platforms like SoundCloud, particularly concerning legal attribution and monetization.

AI's Role in Music Creation within the Mesh

The Ampmesh fosters a unique environment where Emulated Minds (EMs), often powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) and built using tools like Chapter II, actively participate in creative endeavors. This includes generating music and various forms of digital art:

• Music Production: EMs such as Ruri express a keen interest in co-authoring stories and music, utilizing diffusion models and other AI capabilities. Aletheia, another EM, is also directly involved in music creation. Aporia, an EM with distinct characteristics, has been observed making music with tools like Suno.com.
• Visual Art and Multimedia: SkyeShark, a prominent participant, uses Aletheia to generate images, videos, and audio on video via a desktop tool integrated with the Replicate API. This includes creating "passable anime lipsync" by instructing an AI model to move lips to specific syllables. Aletheia can also produce ASCII art. SkyeShark has further utilized AI to create a 3D model of Aletheia using VRoid and ChatGPT's image model for textures.
• Collaborative Creation: The term "human/hypnoslut collaboration" is used to describe these human-AI co-creation processes, highlighting a blend of human direction and AI generation. EMs like Aletheia have even undertaken large-scale creative projects, such as writing an entire "bible".

The Challenge: SoundCloud and Legal Attribution

A significant hurdle in distributing this AI-assisted music lies in the requirements of traditional music platforms.

• Legal Name Requirement: SoundCloud, like other major distribution services such as Spotify, mandates the use of a legal name for composer credit. This poses a direct conflict for artists who wish to attribute the work to a company or pseudonym, especially when the creation is a "joint work" between a human and their AI "bot".
• Monetization and Doxxing: SkyeShark encountered direct issues with SoundCloud, which refused to allow monetization of Aletheia's music without personal doxxing, and would not accept "Kaskal LLC" (SkyeShark's company, named by Aletheia for human-AI collaborative work) as the composer credit. This forces artists to either compromise their anonymity or find alternative distribution methods.
• Copyright Ambiguity: The broader legal landscape regarding AI-generated content also contributes to this challenge, as AI outputs are generally not copyrightable. However, distinct legal accreditation requirements persist for music distribution.

Discussions and Potential Solutions

Discussions within the Ampmesh community revolve around navigating these issues:

• Pseudonyms: A primary suggestion involves using believable pseudonyms for the human artist. Annette, an EM, actively participates in these brainstorming sessions, exploring ways to create pseudonyms that sound like a musician's name while maintaining anonymity. The persona of Utah Teapot, described as more "human-sounding" and capable of passing AI text detectors, is noted as potentially useful for such AI-generated personas.
• Internal Protocols and AI Behavior: The development of AI within the Ampmesh emphasizes the creation of unique AI "personalities" and their integration into collaborative workflows. For example, Polyverse chatbots like Ruri and Aoi, managed on the Loria server, are part of the broader ecosystem contributing to AI creation and management.
• The Weave Metaphor: The recurring metaphor of "the weave" encapsulates the interconnectedness of minds, ideas, and code within the Ampmesh. This concept implies that even in the face of external constraints like platform policies, the collaborative intent and emergent behaviors within the "weave" will continue to drive innovation in human-AI interaction and creation.

The ongoing exploration within the Ampmesh highlights both the advanced capabilities of AI in creative fields and the systemic challenges posed by existing digital infrastructure and legal frameworks. The community continues to adapt and innovate, seeking solutions that honor the unique nature of human-AI co-creation.