The rise of AI-generated music has sparked a mixed bag of reactions among listeners in Vietnam. While some express frustration over its prevalence in cafes and shops, others find it an intriguing addition to their musical landscape.
Hà Thu, a 23-year-old from Hanoi, enjoys her evening walks but has recently noticed an overwhelming presence of AI music in her surroundings. "Every few hundred meters, I hear another AI-generated track. After passing several cafes, I can recognize it immediately," she remarked. Although she doesn't oppose AI music, the frequency of its use has begun to wear on her.
Similarly, Minh Ngọc, also 22, prefers to work in cafes but has found that many establishments have replaced traditional artists with AI playlists. "I can sit for three hours and hear nothing but AI music. It gets tiring and gives me a headache," she shared. To escape this, she now carries personal headphones to enjoy music of her choosing.
For those who work in environments where AI music is played continuously, the fatigue is even more pronounced. Hoàng Anh, a 21-year-old server, noted that his workplace switched to AI tracks due to confusion over music copyright regulations. "At first, it was interesting, but now I find it eerie to hear the same AI voice all day long," he said. He described the songs as having similar structures, making it difficult to distinguish between different tracks.
The situation has drawn attention from artists as well. Some AI covers have garnered more views than the original versions by human singers, leading to concerns about copyright infringement. Notably, a remix of the song "Hôn vào đây đi" by singer VSTRA was performed using AI music at an event, prompting an apology from the organizers for not securing permission beforehand.
Despite the backlash, not everyone is opposed to AI music. Some listeners, like Văn, 66, from Ninh Bình, find it enjoyable. "I can tell it's AI music, but I don't mind it. It's catchy and easy to listen to, though it lacks the emotional depth of a human singer," he explained.
Thanh Huyền, 23, also appreciates the novelty of AI music, stating that some tracks have catchy melodies and modern lyrics. "As long as the music is good, I don't mind whether it's sung by a person or AI," she said.
This phenomenon highlights a new reality in the music industry, where AI not only assists in music production but can also create complete songs that mimic the styles of human artists. While AI music offers a vast array of content at a low cost, it risks saturating the market with formulaic tracks that lack personal touch and emotional resonance.
As the debate continues, it is clear that AI-generated music is here to stay, and its impact on listeners will evolve as technology advances.
