How AI is transforming music and preserving legends — but raising ethical concerns

AI in music depends on various advanced technologies, including machine learning, voice synthesis, and generative adversarial networks. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 13 February 2025
Follow

How AI is transforming music and preserving legends — but raising ethical concerns

  • AI is revolutionizing music by composing, recreating voices, and enhancing collaboration between artists and technology
  • Experts say its future depends on balancing innovation with ethical considerations of ownership and artistic integrity

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is redefining music, opening up new opportunities to create, innovate, and preserve cultural legacies. From composing new melodies to recreating the voices of late artists, AI sits at the intersection of technology and artistry.

According to Alice Eldridge, Thor Magnusson, and Chris Kiefer in their paper, “Artificial intelligence in music and performance: A subjective art-research inquiry,” AI leverages machine learning to analyze patterns in music, enabling it to compose, mimic, or adapt musical styles.

Technologies such as generative adversarial networks refine outputs to make them more lifelike, while natural language processing aids in creating lyrics and melodies. The researchers say these tools are integral to interactive music systems, where AI becomes a collaborative partner in the creative process.

Musician Atheer Al-Amoudi views AI’s creative potential as revolutionary. “AI is becoming unstoppable in various fields, and the outcomes are undeniably mind-blowing,” Al-Amoudi told Arab News.

“Its limitlessness makes the wildest thoughts of creativity easier to actually produce. If an artist wished to collaborate with another artist but they were unreachable, they can use AI to bring this to life.”

Although such technological leaps are transformative for the production of music, they do throw up concerns about plagiarism and copyright infringement. “There must be a form of consent or at least a disclaimer stating that the actual artist has been replicated,” Al-Amoudi said.

Opinion

This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)

Indeed, while AI can spark creativity, its potential for misuse is concerning. “AI could become a shortcut for lazy artists, where they sell their voice input and let editors produce whatever music they want,” Al-Amoudi said.

“It’s not as authentic, but the shortcut has its benefits for certain projects.”

One especially powerful application in AI-generated music is when it is used to recreate the voices of late singers by drawing upon their body of work.

“The only aspect where AI can create deep emotional music is when it uses the vocals of a deceased singer,” Al-Amoudi said. “It’s really moving, and you can’t help but wonder how that singer would feel about it, and if they would sing it the same way AI is doing it.”

AI in music depends on various advanced technologies, including machine learning, voice synthesis, and generative adversarial networks. These systems analyze and recreate everything from rhythm and harmony to unique vocal traits.




Voice synthesis and cloning, for example, involve training AI on recordings of an artist’s voice to replicate their tone, pitch, and intonation. (Supplied)

Voice synthesis and cloning, for example, involve training AI on recordings of an artist’s voice to replicate their tone, pitch, and intonation. Models like generative adversarial networks refine these replications, ensuring they sound natural and authentic.

This integration of AI technologies was recently used to recreate the voice of Saudi musician and composer Talal Maddah for his daughter Nagham’s wedding — a project that demonstrated the ability of AI to preserve and honor cultural heritage.

“Initially, when I met with the bride, she hadn’t even considered the idea of using one of her father’s songs for her wedding,” music designer Nasser Al-Ojan told Arab News.




How a generative adversarial network works. (Wikimedia Commons)

“She was only planning to walk down the aisle to instrumental music. I suggested that her father should somehow be present with her at this special moment. She asked, ‘How?’ That’s when the idea of using AI came to me.”

The process was both technical and deeply emotional. “Creating such a precise outcome is one of the most challenging tasks,” Al-Ojan said. “First, we used 59 songs by Talal Maddah to isolate his voice across all the vocal ranges he had sung in. This was necessary to replicate his vocal signature accurately.

“The process involved extracting his voice from these songs at various pitches, so when the software works on highs or lows, it mimics the way the artist’s voice naturally flows. This level of precision required a lot of effort and professionalism. The process takes exactly 48 hours to achieve this level of perfection.”




AI leverages machine learning to analyze patterns in music, enabling it to compose, mimic, or adapt musical styles. (Supplied)

The final result was a rendition of one of Maddah’s songs personalized with Nagham’s name, bringing his voice back to life for a deeply personal and moving moment.

Noor Al-Faraj, a data AI and automation expert at IBM and winner of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence’s Enjaz Hackathon, sees AI as a tool that could push music beyond traditional boundaries.

“AI can help generate melodies, experiment with different sounds, or even mix genres in ways we might not think of,” Al-Faraj told Arab News. “It’s making music creation more accessible, too — you don’t have to be a professional to use these tools and make something amazing.”

However, Al-Faraj highlights the ethical concerns surrounding the technology. “Since AI is trained on existing music, there’s always a chance it could accidentally copy something too closely.




Noor Al-Faraj

“And then there’s the question of ownership — if an AI tool creates a song, who owns it? The person using the tool? The company that made the AI? It’s a gray area that we’re still figuring out.”

AI’s role should complement human creativity rather than replace it, she said. “The goal isn’t to replace what humans create but to complement it with something different, something we’ve never heard before.”

AI is revolutionizing the music industry, offering tools to preserve the legacy of artistic greats like Maddah and push the boundaries of creativity.

From Al-Amoudi’s enthusiasm for AI’s potential to Al-Ojan’s emotionally charged recreation of Maddah’s voice for his daughter, these stories illustrate the transformative power of AI in music.
 

 


Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign

Updated 20 March 2025
Follow

Ramadan’s spirit of giving reflected in SR1.4bn donation to Saudi housing campaign

  • The program aims to provide adequate housing for families across the country
  • The donations underscore the Saudi leadership’s commitment to supporting national initiatives

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Jood Regions 2 housing campaign has exceeded a total of SR1.4 billion $373 million) in donations and agreements received and made, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The program aims to provide adequate housing for families across the country and has received support from King Salman in the form of SR100 million donation, and a SR50 million donation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The donations underscore the Saudi leadership’s commitment to supporting national initiatives aimed at strengthening and providing housing stability for 8,690 families.
Noting that the campaign’s donations reflect the cohesion between the leadership and the community, and all parties’ commitment to support sustainable development efforts, minister of municipalities and housing and chairman of the board of trustees of the Sakani Foundation, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, expressed his pride in this national achievement.
Sakani Secretary-General Abdulaziz Al-Kraidis, emphasized that this achievement reflects the power of serving the community and its members’ awareness of the value of contributing to improving each other’s lives.
Al-Kraidis explained that the campaign embodies the commitment of various government, private, and civil society sectors to promoting charitable and housing work.
He said the Sakani Foundation’s continued efforts in strengthening partnerships to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives and work toward providing more quality of life-improving programs.
The Wad Al-Iskan platform, another Sakani initiative, which aims to engage all people in supporting and enabling deserving families to obtain adequate housing by submitting contributions online, played a pivotal role in the success of the Jood Regions campaign and enhances social solidarity in Saudi Arabia, according to Al-Kraidis.
The Jood Regions campaign was first launched during Ramadan 2024 to provide more than 10,000 housing units for the most needy families across the Kingdom’s 13 provinces.
The initiative includes events to raise awareness and encourage community participation, bringing together entrepreneurs, leaders and others to ensure citizens can access suitable housing with ease and reliability, fulfilling the goals of developmental housing initiatives.


Al-Najdi Mosque on Farasan Island undergoes phase two restoration in crown prince’s project

Updated 20 March 2025
Follow

Al-Najdi Mosque on Farasan Island undergoes phase two restoration in crown prince’s project

  • Al-Najdi Mosque will cover an area of 609.15 square meters and will be able to accommodate 248 worshipers
  • The mosque, which took 13 years to build, features paintings and inscriptions brought from India

RIYADH: The Al-Najdi Mosque is undergoing phase two restoration as part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.

Al-Najdi Mosque, constructed in 1929, is one of the oldest worship sites on Farasan Island in the Jazan region, southwest of Saudi Arabia.

It is currently undergoing restoration as part of the crown prince’s project to open it to the public and to preserve its architectural beauty through plant decorations, artistic formations, and glass voids.

Following the renovation, Al-Najdi Mosque will cover an area of 609.15 square meters and will be able to accommodate 248 worshipers.

The mosque, which took 13 years to build, features paintings and inscriptions brought from India. It is named after Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Tamimi, known as Al-Najdi, the founder of the mosque.

The mosque features a unique pulpit, mihrab, and arches supporting a ceiling adorned with 12 ornate and colorful domes, showcasing a distinctive architectural style, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Najdi Mosque is one of 30 mosques that will be renovated as part of the crown prince’s project, which spans all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia.

This includes six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, and Jazan. Additionally, one mosque will be renovated in each of the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail, and Al-Qassim.


Initiative promotes Arabic language among international scholarship students

Updated 20 March 2025
Follow

Initiative promotes Arabic language among international scholarship students

  • The initiative, called “Sofara Al-Arabiya” (Ambassadors of Arabic), aims to help students use the Arabic language effectively
  • Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, president of IMSIU, emphasized the importance of the initiative in strengthening the cultural identity of the Arabic language

RIYADH: Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University has begun a new initiative to develop the Arabic language skills of non-native speakers on international scholarships at the university.
The initiative, called “Sofara Al-Arabiya” (Ambassadors of Arabic), aims to help students use the Arabic language effectively in various cultural and professional settings, officials at IMSIU told Arab News.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, president of IMSIU, emphasized the importance of the initiative in strengthening the cultural identity of the Arabic language and its role in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
“This initiative comes within the framework of the university’s commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to highlighting the status of the Arabic language and its culture globally,” he said.
“The university is working to employ interdisciplinary academic disciplines to serve the Arabic language and provide language services to government and private sectors, enhancing institutional and cultural communication.”
Dr. Abdullah Al-Asmari, vice rector of IMSIU for education affairs, told Arab News: “Investing in Arabic language education represents a cultural responsibility that requires continuous interaction with changing circumstances of the era.”
“The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to enhance the status of the Arabic language as an essential part of national and cultural identity,” he said.
Dr. Khaled Al-Khara’n, dean of the College of Arabic Language at IMSIU, explained that the initiative targets international scholarship students from around the world.
“It seeks to promote the learning of Arabic as a living language capable of expressing authentic Arab culture,” he said.
“The initiative includes a set of enrichment programs aimed at developing students’ linguistic and creative skills, including training them in creative writing, publishing poetry collections, and engaging them in national and international events.”
Mohammed Al-Ammar, director of the initiative, said that it is part of the university’s efforts to prepare a generation of students proficient in Arabic language skills capable of communicating globally in creative and influential ways.
“IMSIU is working to expand the scope of the Arabic language’s influence academically and culturally, reflecting its commitment to representing national cultural identity,” Al-Ammar said.
“The initiative seeks to build bridges of communication with scholarship graduates to enhance the future impact of the Arabic language in their countries.
“With such steps, IMSIU is contributing to consolidating the status of Arabic as a global language and enhancing its presence in the international cultural scene,” he said.


Faith and festivity shape Ramadan’s final nights

Updated 20 March 2025
Follow

Faith and festivity shape Ramadan’s final nights

  • Whether in the mosque or the marketplace, the last ten nights of Ramadan bring a special rhythm to the Kingdom
  • Many focus on worship and prayer, as well as preparations for Eid Al-Fitr

RIYADH: As Ramadan nears its end, the rhythm of life across Saudi Arabia begins to shift. For some, the last ten nights bring an intense focus on worship and prayer, while for others, they are marked by preparations for Eid Al-Fitr, the festival that signals the end of fasting.
The change is noticeable, but how people experience it varies depending on their priorities, routines and even where they live.
“The last ten nights have a different feeling — everything becomes calmer and more peaceful,” said Albendri Al-Majlad, a recent university graduate based in Riyadh.
“Even people’s hearts feel lighter. The atmosphere in mosques is completely different compared to the beginning of Ramadan.
“At first, we are busy with iftars, gatherings and social events, but in the last ten nights, the focus shifts entirely to worship, anticipation and quiet reflection,” she said.
During these final nights, mosques across Saudi Arabia become increasingly crowded as people dedicate themselves to prayer, hoping to witness Laylat Al-Qadr, the Night of Decree.
In Islam, this night is believed to be when God determines the fate of all creation for the coming year, decreeing matters of life, death and destiny.
Because its exact date is unknown, Muslims devote themselves to intense worship throughout the last ten nights in the hope of witnessing its blessings.
For many, this period is marked by additional prayers, including Taraweeh, a set of special evening prayers performed after the evening Isha prayer throughout Ramadan.
Another important form of worship is Qiyam Al-Layl, otherwise known as TaHajjud, a voluntary night prayer that takes place in the final third of the night.
Ali Al-Therwi, a systems engineer based in Jeddah, described how his routine shifts during this period.
“Since these nights might contain Laylat Al-Qadr, I dedicate more time to the prayers of Taraweeh and TaHajjud. I try to spend this holy month making the most of this opportunity,” Al-Therwi said.
“My focus remains on reciting the Qur’an, prayer, fasting, charity and other acts of worship. In general, I’ve noticed that people around me become more engaged in both religious and social activities during this period,” he added.
In addition to worship, many also spend these nights preparing for Eid, bringing a different kind of movement in the city as markets and shopping centers see an influx of shoppers looking for clothing, decorations and sweets.
“When it comes to movement in the city, I’ve noticed that traffic increases in the streets and markets, especially as Eid approaches. People rush to buy gifts, new clothes and food, preparing for the celebrations,” Al-Therwi said.
“The last ten nights feel different from the rest of Ramadan, not only because of the spiritual significance but also because of the excitement leading up to Eid.
“The atmosphere is filled with anticipation, as people are eager to both experience Laylat Al-Qadr and welcome Eid with joy,” he said.
Although the exact date of Eid has not yet been determined, many are already preparing for its arrival while making the most of the final nights of Ramadan — whether through worship, family gatherings or community traditions.


Saudi Arabia takes part in celebrations for International Day of Happiness

Updated 20 March 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia takes part in celebrations for International Day of Happiness

  • Theme for this year’s event is ‘Caring and Sharing,’ highlighting benevolence, empathy and trust
  • UN proclaimed the day in 2012

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is taking part in global celebrations for the International Day of Happiness held annually on March 20.

The day was proclaimed by the UN in 2012.

The Kingdom launched the Quality of Life Program in 2018, a key element of Vision 2030, to promote balanced lifestyles and create supportive cultural, recreational and sporting environments that enhance the happiness of Saudi citizens.

The International Day of Happiness highlights the need for global cooperation to improve social, economic and environmental well-being, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The theme for this year’s event is “Caring and Sharing,” highlighting the importance of benevolence, empathy, and trust as vital drivers of both individual and national happiness.

International and regional organizations, civil society and individuals can work through educational activities to promote a shift toward prioritizing human happiness, the SPA added.