Generative AI progress has definitely slowed down. But that just means it’s gone from breakneck to merely full-tilt.

The most dramatically transformed realm in creative AI is video generation.

• Sora is the biggest player and has many interesting and unique features.

• Kling is the best video generator on the market right now.

• Runway has made good advances and is a perennial player.

• Google’s upcoming Veo 2 is looking like it could leap ahead of the competition.

AI video generation is fun but it still seems very much in the toy category. I struggle to find a purpose for AI video in my work. It’s too error-prone, too uncanny, too generic. I have similar feelings about image generation, although I think that technology is farther along.

So video and image generation aren’t that useful yet. What is?

There are three categories I’ll be covering in the next few posts. Here’s the first.

#3: AI Music Generators

In 2024, AI music generation suddenly made the leap from dreadful to decent. To be clear, you won’t be cranking out bangers with AI. But AI music can work well in soundtracks for video production and podcasts. In these contexts, you’re not seeking bangers. You want a mood, a beat, or even just filler. Tracks like this don’t need to sound good in isolation or in their entirety. 

For example, this Suno-generated track has lots of issues. It’s flat, it doesn’t take you on a journey, parts are awkward, it’s often boring. I wouldn’t listen to this. But as accompaniment for a video, it’s evocative and has a vibe. I could work for with it.

Is AI music better than stock? Definitely not. But if you need music and have no budget, AI music might work for you.

How to Get Started

If you’d like to get started with AI music generation, Suno and Udio currently lead the way. Both offer free plans.

• Suno

• Udio

Up next: the dark horse of creative AI