Pedagogy of the Prompt: Music Education, Artificial Intelligence, and Big Tech Magic
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| Title: | Pedagogy of the Prompt: Music Education, Artificial Intelligence, and Big Tech Magic |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | adam patrick bell |
| Source: | Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education. 2025 24(3):202-245. |
| Availability: | MayDay Group. Brandon University School of Music, 270 18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 6A9, Canada. Tel: 204-571-8990; Fax: 204-727-7318; Web site: http://act.maydaygroup.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 44 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Evaluative |
| Descriptors: | Music Education, Artificial Intelligence, Technology Uses in Education, Educational Technology, Music Activities, Algorithms, Music Teachers, Neoliberalism, Search Engines, Internet |
| ISSN: | 1545-4517 |
| Abstract: | In this article I examine the generative AI music-making applications of Google called MusicFX DJ and Music AI Sandbox, as well as Udio, an end-to-end generative AI music system created by ex-Google employees. I frame these generative AI music systems designed by Big Tech as part of their neoliberal agenda, which involves influencing music education. Drawing on critical media theorists, I suggest that Big Tech, and in the context of this article, Google, present their generative AI music systems as "magic." I describe how these systems work by examining how algorithmic systems, such as search engines, operate more generally, and then, more specifically, how generative AI music systems function. I aim to make legible the "magic" of generative AI music systems and explain that Google's music-making tools, by design, appear to be agenda-less, but music educators should be wary of this illusion. I forward that Google's "pedagogy of the prompt" may not be explicit to users of their AI music-making applications, but nevertheless it is embedded into them because they are algorithmic systems, and more specifically, generative AI/machine learning-based systems. I suggest that in this present period in which music teachers and learners are using generative AI music systems, knowing how a musical output results from an input, musical or otherwise (e.g., text), is needed. [Note: The page range (202-244) shown in the citation is incorrect. The correct page range is 202-245.] |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Access URL: | https://act.maydaygroup.org/pedagogy-of-the-prompt-music-education-artificial-intelligence-and-big-tech-magic/ |
| Accession Number: | EJ1476312 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In this article I examine the generative AI music-making applications of Google called MusicFX DJ and Music AI Sandbox, as well as Udio, an end-to-end generative AI music system created by ex-Google employees. I frame these generative AI music systems designed by Big Tech as part of their neoliberal agenda, which involves influencing music education. Drawing on critical media theorists, I suggest that Big Tech, and in the context of this article, Google, present their generative AI music systems as "magic." I describe how these systems work by examining how algorithmic systems, such as search engines, operate more generally, and then, more specifically, how generative AI music systems function. I aim to make legible the "magic" of generative AI music systems and explain that Google's music-making tools, by design, appear to be agenda-less, but music educators should be wary of this illusion. I forward that Google's "pedagogy of the prompt" may not be explicit to users of their AI music-making applications, but nevertheless it is embedded into them because they are algorithmic systems, and more specifically, generative AI/machine learning-based systems. I suggest that in this present period in which music teachers and learners are using generative AI music systems, knowing how a musical output results from an input, musical or otherwise (e.g., text), is needed. [Note: The page range (202-244) shown in the citation is incorrect. The correct page range is 202-245.] |
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| ISSN: | 1545-4517 |
