The line between human artistry and artificial intelligence is blurring in the music industry, with AI tools now capable of producing entire music videos with minimal human intervention. A recent experiment led by Professor Dr. Holger Rada at the Hochschule Bremerhaven, detailed in a report from Hochschule Bremerhaven, demonstrates the current capabilities – and limitations – of this emerging technology.
Professor Rada tasked several AI tools with creating a music video, deliberately avoiding substantial post-production editing. The goal, he explained, was to assess what AI can achieve independently, fostering a discussion about its role in creative fields. The music itself was also AI-generated, utilizing Suno 4.5. The project began with a concept developed by Gemini 3, based on a few human keywords, allowing the AI to define the content and dramatic structure. Further AI tools, Nano Banana Pro for character development and Flow/Veo 3.1 & Runway 4.0 for video generation, were then employed, with prompts largely created by the AI itself. Lipp-syncing was achieved using Heygen Avatar IV.
The resulting video, available on YouTube, showcases a significant leap in AI’s ability to generate complex multimedia content. While acknowledging imperfections, Professor Rada emphasized the importance of viewing the project as a “feasibility study,” revealing what AI produces when human intervention is minimized. He noted that even a year ago, the video would have exhibited far more visual errors, such as objects obscuring characters or anatomical inaccuracies.
This development arrives as the music industry, valued at approximately $21 billion globally, faces increasing pressure to innovate and meet the demands of streaming platforms, according to a report by Analytics Insight. The traditional music production process, often lengthy and resource-intensive, is being challenged by AI’s ability to deliver professional-quality results in under 60 seconds.
The Hochschule Bremerhaven’s experiment isn’t occurring in a vacuum. Recent AI-generated Christmas advertisements sparked controversy, not solely due to quality concerns, but also a broader resistance to AI-created content over work traditionally done by media designers. This prompted Professor Rada’s investigation into the technology’s current potential.
The implications of AI in music production extend beyond speed and cost. As noted in research from Carnegie Mellon University, while AI can now write songs, it still lags behind human creativity. However, AI is increasingly being used as a co-creative tool, assisting with composition, sound design, and even lyric generation, as highlighted in a study published on arXiv.org. This democratization of music creation, enabled by tools like OpenAI’s MuseNet and Google’s Magenta, allows a wider audience to participate in music production, regardless of technical expertise.
At Hochschule Bremerhaven, the project has sparked debate among students. Some express reservations about AI’s role, while others see it as a valuable tool for streamlining workflows. Professor Rada stresses the importance of critical engagement with AI, emphasizing that its use should be a conscious decision based on its suitability for a given task. Transparency is also key; the video clearly identifies the AI tools used in its creation, both through its title and a watermark within the video itself, listing the AI applications in the credits instead of human personnel.
Professor Nicole Slink, who teaches communication design at Hochschule Bremerhaven, acknowledges that AI will likely displace some jobs in the industry, but also anticipates the creation of new roles. The curriculum is being adapted to equip students with the skills needed to navigate this changing landscape. Students, however, often prefer hands-on creation, opting to use cameras and drawing tools rather than relying solely on AI-generated imagery, and are actively engaging with the ethical challenges posed by AI, such as copyright and data privacy.
Professor Rada also points to the significant energy consumption associated with AI, noting concerns about the reactivation of a nuclear power plant in the United States to power AI data centers and the development of new reactors for the same purpose. He believes raising awareness of these negative aspects is crucial for students to make informed decisions about AI’s responsible use.
The Bachelor of Digital Media Production program at Hochschule Bremerhaven emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating design and computer science. The program’s annual DMP-Tag, scheduled for , showcases student media projects, including those produced using traditional methods – a deliberate choice by Professor Rada’s students to conclude their project with a conventionally produced music video.
