AI threatens 'skill death' in classical music composition

A Financial Times opinion piece argues that while composers have historically embraced new technology, generative AI poses an existential threat to classical music by enabling 'skill death'—the atrophy of human compositional craft. The author contends that AI models trained on centuries of scores can now produce convincing pastiches, potentially devaluing the years of training required for traditional composition. Unlike earlier tools like synthesizers or notation software, AI does not merely assist but replaces creative decision-making. The piece warns that if audiences and institutions prioritize AI-generated works, the incentive for human composers to develop technical mastery may vanish. It draws parallels to other fields where automation has deskilled practitioners, but notes that classical music's emphasis on live performance and interpretation could offer some resilience. The article concludes that the art form's survival may depend on consciously preserving human authorship as a distinct value.