> So a handful of songwriters will be out of work, and nothing much will change.
It would be more than that, though, if AI truly becomes as good at writing pop songs as that handful of songsmiths.
Currently, those songsmiths are the limiting factor for pop stars. As you said, there aren't many, and they can only write so many songs per year. Because of this, choosing which pop stars get to sing the songs they write is a big factor in determining who becomes successful. If suddenly AI can pump out as many pop hits as we like, that limiting factor goes away and the whole market changes.
>Currently, those songsmiths are the limiting factor for pop stars.
Anything to support that conjecture?
Pop songs take off because they're marketed properly AFAICT. Writers choose from many songs, all good, producers largely decide which songs and groups will make it. Songs can be around for years before being given to a star to make into a hit.
Of course marketing now can be 'going viral', and that can be various degrees of organic and paid promotion.
It would be more than that, though, if AI truly becomes as good at writing pop songs as that handful of songsmiths.
Currently, those songsmiths are the limiting factor for pop stars. As you said, there aren't many, and they can only write so many songs per year. Because of this, choosing which pop stars get to sing the songs they write is a big factor in determining who becomes successful. If suddenly AI can pump out as many pop hits as we like, that limiting factor goes away and the whole market changes.