From support tools to "digital artists"
When the song "Say Một Đời Vì Em" (Say a Lifetime for You) unexpectedly took the internet by storm, racking up over 10 million listens in just two months on social media platforms, many were surprised to learn that the song was "created by a machine." According to the two authors, nicknamed Ken Quách and HươngMyBông, the song was entirely composed by AI, and the vocals were also performed by AI. Due to the song's popularity, singer Nguyên Vũ purchased the rights and invested in creating a music video as a personal musical project. To date, the music video for "Say Một Đời Vì Em," performed by Nguyên Vũ, has garnered over 2 million views on YouTube.
The trend of composing and performing songs using AI has been booming recently. Besides "Say một đời vì em " (Say a Lifetime Because of You), many other songs have received significant attention, such as: "Mưa chiều" (Afternoon Rain), "Đà Lạt còn mưa không em?" (Is It Still Raining in Da Lat, My Dear?), "Vạn lý sầu" (A Thousand Miles of Sorrow), "Hư vô cũng biết đau" (Even Nothing Knows Pain), "Tháng bảy anh viết cho em" (I Wrote for You in July)... Capitalizing on this trend, numerous AI-powered music channels such as Sing Song AI, Nhạc AI, Nhạc tình AI, Cảm xúc AI, Top hit songs AI… have continuously emerged.
Besides creating new songs, the trend of using AI voices to sing is also expanding to cover classic songs. For example, two songs, "Diễm xưa" and "Hạ trắng" (by Trịnh Công Sơn), covered in a rock style, have attracted over 1 million listens each. Even singer Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh and Mr. Nguyễn Trung Trực – a relative of the late musician Trịnh Công Sơn – were surprised when they heard the arrangements and the voices of the "AI singers".
Previously, several singers such as Dan Truong and Thoai Nghi have applied AI technology to create music videos. Thoai Nghi released the music video "Surrender" which was made entirely using a phone, with next-generation AI technology. Director Pham Vinh Khuong, who directed the music video, shared: "With current phone technology, combined with AI platforms and video editing applications, creating a professional product becomes possible, even without a large crew or a huge budget."
Interesting innovation or a new legal challenge?
However, AI's "encroachment" into the music industry has also generated mixed opinions from the audience, especially skepticism from professionals. Many instances of AI covering old songs have been found to have serious errors. For example, the song "Diễm xưa" by the late musician Trịnh Công Sơn, covered by AI in a rock style, had incorrect lyrics; the original line "thủa mắt xanh xao" was sung as "thu mắt xanh xao," or "làm sao em nhớ những vết chim di" became "làm sao em nhớ những vết chim đi"...
Furthermore, experimental AI products have yet to make a significant impact. For example, the 15-song album by musician Thanh Cong, created using AI, released in May; the music video "Khuc Ca Hoa Binh" (Song of Peace) , released in early October with an AI singer; or the new song "Mien Hoa Ban Ngay" (Midday Flower Region) by author Vi Hoang Anh… only managed to pique curiosity but failed to leave a lasting impression on the audience. Music videos by Dan Truong and Thoai Nghi, created using AI and featuring Meritorious Artist Tuyet Thu, were also heavily criticized for inaccurate imagery and lack of emotion.
Recently, at the launch of the songwriting competition to promote the 13th National Congress of the Youth Union, term 2026-2031, the organizing committee announced that there would be no restrictions on songs composed by AI, demonstrating an open-minded approach to accepting this type of song. However, musician Hoai An, a member of the judging panel, emphasized: “We need honesty from the authors when using technology. AI can assist in the songwriting process, but if used entirely for songwriting, the work will lose its meaning. Musical products must come from the emotions and thoughts of the composer to truly touch the hearts of the listeners.”
Agreeing with musician Hoài An, many artists believe that AI is just a trend, while the creativity of artists is what truly touches the hearts of the audience. Singer Tùng Dương said that he had been invited to perform songs composed and performed by AI in several programs, but he refused. “Technology cannot replace the soul that the artist imbues in their work. AI may be technically perfect, but that very perfection makes the work lack soul. The heart of the artist is what gives music its life,” said Tùng Dương. Singer Nguyên Vũ also expressed: “Technology can only create technical products, while the true value of music lies in the emotions that touch the hearts of listeners.”
Musician Huy Tuan stated his opinion: “The misuse of AI, without proper management and regulation, can lead to the loss of the unique values of creativity and artistic quality; it also creates new legal challenges, such as copyright issues, potential ethical risks, and violations of personal rights… In Vietnam, if a suitable management mechanism is not soon in place, the market will soon be ‘overwhelmed with AI-generated trash music,’ thereby harming the creative values of artists.”
Faced with the proliferation of "AI-generated" music, online music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer have begun cracking down on this content. Spotify is collaborating with the world's largest record labels to develop responsible AI products. Apple Music is building technology to prevent AI products from infringing on copyrights. In Vietnam, the Copyright Office is proposing comprehensive solutions to protect the rights of artists, musicians, and producers in the digital age.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/noi-lo-boi-thuc-nhac-ai-post828577.html
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