When comparing and contrasting whether a human being with no musical, literary, or artistic background can create something comparable to a specialist with extensive training in their field, the current artistic debate over AI-generated art and content is often framed in the wrong terms. People ask whether a song made with tools like Suno AI is “as good” as one created by trained musicians. But in my opinion, this question misses the deeper issue entirely. The real divide is not between good and bad art, nor even between human and machine production. It is between two fundamentally different conceptions of what art is for, for both the producer and the consumer.

One view treats art as a product. In this framework, the value of a song, book, or painting lies in its ability to produce an effect, pleasure, meaning, or emotional resonance. If a listener is moved, then the method of creation is secondary, perhaps even irrelevant. From this perspective, AI is simply the latest and most powerful tool in a long line of artistic innovations. A good song is a good song. These are the words of a dear friend with whom I dined last night, who is not a professional musician but is using Suno and creating music he feels is far superior to anything produced before the advent of AI. He noted the sonic limitations inherent in the studio recording process, as well as human imperfection. He asserted that thanks to Suno, a more perfect product is in reach for everyone, regardless of training or experience. He still loves Jethro Tull and all the classic bands of his generation, and has deep respect for his professional musician friends, but he feels the future of music is bright, thanks to tools like Suno.

As someone who, without the use of ChatGPT, spent eight years crafting a modern-day rewrite of Plato’s Apology, I decided not to push back on my friend’s analysis and prove him wrong, but rather ask him to focus on something different, using my book as a jumping-off point for my extrapolations. I am a big........

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