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Holly Herndon stands as a luminary in the confluence of music and artificial intelligence (AI), leveraging cutting-edge technologies to redefine contemporary composition. Her innovative work centers on an AI system she developed, named Spawn, a synthetic multivoiced singer trained on samples from Herndon and her collaborators. This AI not only contributes uniquely to her music but also embodies her vision of AI as a collaborative entity in the creative process.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1980 in Johnson City, Tennessee, Holly Herndon’s journey into music began in a religious household, where she was exposed to music through church choirs and guitar lessons. Her artistic development was significantly influenced by her time in Berlin’s vibrant techno scene. Pursuing her passion for electronic music, she earned an MFA in Music and Recording from Mills College in Oakland, California, where she was recognized with the Elizabeth Mills Crothers award for best composer in 2010. Her academic journey continued at Stanford University’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, where she completed her Ph.D., focusing on the intersection of composition and technology.
Background and Development of Spawn
Herndon’s foray into AI music began with her profound fascination for electronic music and culminated in her PhD in Music and Acoustics from Stanford University. Partnering with Mat Dryhurst, she created Spawn to assist in the production of her 2019 album, Proto. Spawn is designed to mimic and interpret musical ideas, often unearthing new elements in Herndon’s compositions that she herself might not have anticipated. Herndon’s approach underscores that AI is not merely a tool but an integral member of her ensemble, contributing to the creative dialogue rather than merely executing pre-programmed tasks.
Philosophical Approach to AI in Music
Holly Herndon advocates for AI as a means to augment human creativity rather than supplant it. She maintains that while AI can generate music, its true potential lies in enhancing human expression. Her emphasis on maintaining the human element in music-making reflects her broader concerns about the ethical implications of AI, particularly regarding intellectual property and the risk of homogenizing artistic expression. Herndon’s work serves as a critical commentary on the balance between technological innovation and artistic integrity.
Innovations and Future Directions
Beyond her musical achievements, Herndon has demonstrated entrepreneurial prowess by founding Spawning, a startup dedicated to creating a “consent layer” for AI in the creative industries. This initiative aims to empower artists by providing tools to understand and control the use of their work in AI training datasets. Spawning’s first tool, “Have I Been Trained?”, allows creators to check if their work has been included in AI training sets, fostering transparency and consent in the deployment of AI technologies.
Musical Style and Innovations
Herndon’s music is characterized by its innovative use of computer-based techniques and the visual programming language Max/MSP, which she employs to create custom instruments and vocal processes. Her debut album, Movement (2012), garnered critical acclaim for its blend of electronic accessibility and experimentalism. Subsequent works, such as Chorus (2014) and Proto (2019), have solidified her reputation as a pioneering artist in art pop and avant-garde music.
A notable facet of Herndon’s recent work includes the development of a vocal deepfake named Holly+ in 2021, which allows users to manipulate their voices to sound like hers. This project aims to empower artists by giving them control over their vocal likenesses in an era where AI technologies are increasingly prevalent.
Advocacy and Future Directions
Herndon’s commitment to ethical AI extends beyond her artistic endeavors. She co-founded a governance board for Holly+ to oversee the use of her voice, ensuring it is not exploited without consent. Additionally, she co-hosts the podcast Interdependence, where she engages with thought leaders to discuss the implications of technology in art.
Through her groundbreaking work, Holly Herndon not only challenges traditional notions of authorship and creativity but also seeks to redefine the role of artists in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Her contributions to AI in music are not just about innovation but also about advocating for a thoughtful and ethical integration of technology into the arts.
