It is day 2 of my deep dive into the intersection of AI and creativity (click here for Day 1) as I research for my work-in-progress, “RefleXion: Echoes of Existence.” (That’s right! It has a title and release date. Now I have to keep my nose to the grindstone.) It didn’t take long for “Storyteller” to be distributed, but as I take a look at it on various sites, I find myself disappointed, and even a little disturbed.

I knew going into this research that this project was going to offend some. There is a high level of AI sensitivity in the creative community, so it was important to me to be as transparent as possible about how and why the album “Storyteller” was created. I made sure that the distributor I went with allowed me to add liner notes to each of the songs to reflect this transparency. The problem is, the credits that show up on Spotify, Amazon Music, and other sites (I do not know about Apple Music or iTunes) do not include all the credits and liner notes that accompany the song from the distributor.

What this means is that even when artists make a clear attempt to inform people that an AI algorithm was used to create part of their project, it will never be seen by end-users. I was surprised by this.

On a non-AI note, I also just found out that without a premium membership on these music streaming sites, you can’t listen to an album in order—shuffle mode only. I created “Storyteller” as a concept album, and the songs tell the story of a life, so listening to it in random order will make for a very confusing story.

I have included the liner notes for the songs below. Each song has two notes in the liner notes. The first liner note on all of them reads: “Storyteller” began as a research project for Lawrence Nault’s upcoming book on AI’s impact on life. It evolved into a concept album tracing the author’s journey from childhood trauma to present reflections, merging personal lyrics with AI-generated music. The addition note with each individual song is as follows:

Silent Scars – “Storyteller” began as a research project for Lawrence Nault’s upcoming book on AI’s impact on life. It evolved into a concept album tracing the author’s journey from childhood trauma (Silent Scars) to now, merging personal lyrics with AI-generated music.

Digital Echoes – In “Digital Echoes,” the concept album continues as the young man learns to navigate the digital age. This track captures his coming of age amidst technology’s rise, blending his story with a techno beat to mirror the 80s and 90s tech boom.

Frozen Shadows: “Frozen Shadows” reflects a bleak period when the author was homeless and out of hope, nearly freezing to death in his car. This track’s haunting melody and stark lyrics capture the profound despair and struggle of surviving in the harshest conditions.

Echoes of Self – “Echoes of Self” explores the author’s journey to rediscover his identity. This esoteric track, with East Indian and Indigenous tones, reflects his quest for purpose and inner peace.

Lost in the Noise – “Lost in the Noise” tells the story of a young woman overwhelmed by constant demands via technology. Struggling to keep everyone happy, she ultimately loses herself. This track captures her journey with emotive lyrics and a compelling rock-folk blend.

Miles of Freedom – “Miles of Freedom” captures the exhilaration and nostalgia of a cross-country motorbike journey. From Cape Breton to Vancouver Island, the author embraces the freedom, beauty, and peace of the open road, connecting deeply with the world around him.

Solitary Echoes – “Solitary Echoes” reflects on the profound solitude of the author’s introspective journey. Amidst quiet contemplation, he finds solace in solitude, embracing the echoes of his thoughts and memories. The track’s gentle melody and reflective lyrics evoke a sense of peace and inner exploration.

Life Chased You Down – “Life Chased You Down” chronicles a poignant journey of a man confronting mortality. With time slipping away, he prioritizes unfinished tasks and meaningful pursuits before life’s inevitable end. The track’s introspective lyrics and heartfelt melody resonate with themes of urgency and introspection.

The Mountain Hermit – “The Mountain Hermit” concludes the album with a tale of wisdom and solace. Amidst secluded hills, the sage weaves worlds of truth and fantasy, offering solace through his timeless tales. This track’s evocative lyrics and serene melody reflect the hermit’s enduring legacy as a beacon of hope and healing in tumultuous times.