Cambridge-based Suno, the highest-funded generative AI startup in Massachusetts, has raised $125 million in venture capital this year. The platform allows users to create songs based on prompts, similar to ChatGPT, and offers a free service accessible via its website or mobile app.
However, Suno faces a copyright lawsuit from major record labels due to its use of extensive music training data. The outcome of this litigation could significantly impact how composers and musicians earn a living.
Suno generates music within seconds, producing two variations of songs based on user prompts. While the melodies often impress, the lyrics can be simplistic. For instance, a song about Copenhagen included lines that seemed rushed and repetitive.
Despite some limitations, users can create original music without needing to hire professional composers. Suno offers a free version with a limit of 10 songs per day, while a paid version allows for more creations and grants users copyright ownership of their songs.
Experts believe that while AI like Suno democratizes music creation, it raises concerns about the future of human musicianship. Some artists express apprehension about AI potentially undermining their livelihoods.
Suno exemplifies the evolving landscape of music creation, opening opportunities for creativity while also posing challenges for traditional artists.