Is AI Kunlun Tech the future of music or just more noise?

Kunlun Tech, a name more associated with gaming and social media, has launched two AI-powered platforms — Melodio and Mureka — aimed at shaking up the music industry. These platforms use Kunlun’s proprietary AI model, SkyMusic 2.0, and claim to offer something different from what is currently available on the market. But how much of this is real innovation and how much is just hype?

Melodio: An attempt at playing custom music

Melodio is billed as the world’s first AI-powered music streaming platform that generates music in real-time based on user input. The idea is simple: you tell Melodio what you want – whether it’s energizing tunes for a workout or soothing music for study – and it generates a personalized stream just for you.

The concept is not entirely new. Spotify, for example, has been perfecting its recommendation algorithms for years, using vast amounts of user data to create and suggest playlists that align with your tastes and habits. However, Melodio takes this a step further by generating music from scratch rather than curating from an existing library.

While this sounds impressive, the practical difference for the average user might be marginal. Real-time generation could offer more precise personalization, but it’s unclear if it will significantly surpass the curated playlists users are used to.

Mureka: Democratizing music creation?

Mureka aims to democratize music creation by allowing anyone – whether they are professional musicians or beginners – to create and sell AI-generated music. The platform offers tools for generating songs, customizing them and even selling them in an integrated marketplace.

This is an intriguing proposition, especially for independent artists who may not have access to professional production tools. However, Mureka is not the first to offer AI-powered musical creations. Platforms like Soundful and Aiva already offer similar services, generating music for various use cases such as video production and advertising.

Mureka’s main differentiator might be its integrated market, but the wider implications are worth considering. As AI-generated music becomes more widespread, it raises questions about the value and originality of music, potentially flooding the market with content that, while technically competent, may lack the emotional depth of music created by humans.

SkyMusic 2.0, the AI ​​model that powers both Melodio and Mureka, is positioned as a technological breakthrough capable of producing high-quality, long-form music. Kunlun claims to be able to generate 6-minute stereo songs with a sampling rate of 44100 Hz, handling over 500 words of lyrics without any problems.

While these specs are impressive, they’re also within the expected range for today’s high-quality audio production tools. The true test of SkyMusic 2.0’s value lies in how effectively it can create music that resonates with listeners and creators alike. It’s one thing to generate technically sound music – it’s another to create something that really connects with an audience. Whether SkyMusic 2.0 achieves this remains to be seen.

Kunlun’s entry into the music industry could have ripple effects, especially if Melodio and Mureka gain traction. Domestically, established players such as Tencent Music Entertainment and NetEase Cloud Music are already using AI to improve user experiences, positioning them as formidable competitors in the Chinese market. Tencent’s QQ Music and WeSing platforms, together with NetEase’s AI Music Lab, are deeply integrated into the local ecosystem and are well-prepared to respond to Kunlun’s innovations.

Internationally, platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud continue to evolve. SoundCloud, in particular, is partnering with AI music technology companies such as Fadr, Soundful and Voice-Swap to allow artists to create and upload songs using AI-assisted tools directly on the platform.

The success of Melodio and Mureka will depend on how well they can differentiate themselves and address unmet needs in the market. For Melodio, the challenge will be to convince users that AI-generated streams offer a superior experience to curated playlists. For Mureka, the key will be in providing tools that truly empower creators without reducing music creation to a commodity process.

Kunlun’s Melodio and Mureka platforms are intriguing, but it’s too early to declare them game changers. They offer interesting approaches to music streaming and creation, but whether they represent a significant leap forward is still up for debate. The true value of these platforms will become clearer as users begin to interact with them and as competitors respond. For now, they represent a promising but unproven foray into an industry already well-acquainted with AI-based innovation.