If A.I. took the place of musicians, would you listen to it?

Music, for me, is about the human connection.  I don't appreciate it as a product.  If I can't relate to the musician struggling with their instrument or find an emotional connection with the composer I quickly become disinterested.

I agree. I don't appreciate the "product" of the sentences my friends say to me. I appreciate them. Same with art -- there is someone who matters making it, and that connection is essential.

Those who simply pronounce "It's coming and we can't stop it" have resigned themselves to an inhumane future. A pessimistic defeatism I cannot get on board with. (Plus, they have no evidence. And yet, they pronounce. Sad.)

I can see that people here are talking about very different levels of AI advancement. Who knows, in time those robots might be able to replicate emotions, or even generate them to become a fully developed artificial life form. Would you accept this kind of humanoid-like being ? Tough, isn't it ? Any fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation ? Fantasy might become reality, but not tomorrow.

The idea that music can really only be created by humans is very limiting.  Some of the most musical sounds I've ever heard were not created by humans.  A few examples:

water falls

a thunder storm, especially with lightning

bird songs

rain falling on the roof

tides crashing against the shoreline

various wind noises

coyotes howling

crackling fire

The natural world provides a myriad of sounds that are quite musical.  The may or may not be compositions, but they are organized enough to be readily recognized and they do incite an emotional response. 

The may or may not be compositions, but they are organized enough to be readily recognized and they do incite an emotional response. 

This is a really intriguing comment. If they may be a composition, who is the composer?

I admire and get beauty out of nature, too, but I don't attribute intention to those patterns, colors, sounds. A sunset, to me, is not saying anything even though it's beautiful. But some hear the "language" or "meaning" of nature (or God/gods) so I would want to remain open minded, here.

hilde45, you should drop the whole intention angle. It’s misleading. The throbbing of a big twin motor is definitely music to the mechanic’s ears and only a few are immune to the heavy metal thunder -- intent notwithstanding.

Btw, very nice thread you started!