Key Takeaways
- Zac Davis employs AI as a collaborative tool to produce “conviction rap,” a faith‑based rap style that aligns with his Christian values.
- Davis likens AI’s impact on music to the advent of photography, viewing it as an expansion rather than a replacement for musicians.
- Paul Schlif, General Manager of Popplers Music, acknowledges AI’s utility in song creation and production but stresses that it cannot replicate the tactile, learning experience of playing an instrument.
- Schlif believes the human element—expression, soul, and passion—will keep traditional music meaningful, even as AI‑generated works become more common.
- Both artists agree that the future of music will involve a balance: AI as a new creative avenue alongside enduring human‑driven musical experiences.
Introduction to the AI‑Music Conversation in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the intersection of technology and artistry is sparking lively debate among local musicians. As Dakota News Now reports, the evolution from vinyl records and CDs to streaming platforms has now reached a new frontier: artificial intelligence. The article highlights two contrasting yet complementary viewpoints—one from an artist embracing AI as a creative partner, and another from a seasoned music educator who warns that machines cannot replace the irreplaceable human experience of learning and performing music.
Zac Davis Embraces AI for “Conviction Rap”
Zac Davis, a Sioux Falls‑based artist and musician, describes his use of AI as a means to craft what he calls “conviction rap,” a sub‑genre of Christian music rooted in personal faith and belief. “I use AI to help make my Christian content music. It’s like a kind of a new style of Christian conviction rap. It’s really personal,” Davis said. He emphasizes that the technology serves as a guide to keep his lyrics biblically aligned, stating, “I use the AI to help make sure I stay biblically in line with the Christian values.” For Davis, AI is less about supplanting musicians and more about offering another avenue to reach listeners who might be drawn back to God through his songs.
AI as a Creative Extension, Not a Replacement
Drawing a historical parallel, Davis compares AI’s emergence to the invention of the camera, which once frightened painters but ultimately opened new artistic possibilities. “I see it more as a benefit,” he remarked. “Just like the time when cameras came out, and painters thought that their jobs were over, that it was done, but it just opened up a new avenue.” This perspective frames AI as a tool that expands the musician’s palette rather than erasing the need for human creativity. By leveraging AI‑generated beats, melodies, or lyrical suggestions, Davis can focus more on the spiritual message and personal expression that define his work.
Paul Schlif’s View on the Limits of AI in Music Education
At Popplers Music, General Manager Paul Schlif offers a cautious counterpoint. While he acknowledges AI’s capacity to generate audible tracks, he argues that it falls short in reproducing the essential learning experience that comes from interacting with an instrument. “AI can create it so you can hear it. AI can create music so that you can see it, but AI can’t create that learning experience, that interaction you have with that instrument,” Schlif said. His decades of teaching—from fifth‑grade beginning band to private lessons—have shown him that the thrill of a student’s first sound on a flute, clarinet, or oboe is something no algorithm can emulate.
The Irreplaceable Joy of First Musical Moments
Schlif recalls a particularly vivid memory from his early career: “Early, early on in my career I was a fifth grade beginning band director, and I personally got no greater thrill teaching than to hear that student make that first sound on that flute, clarinet, oboe, whatever it happened to be, just because it’s so exciting for them.” He contends that this visceral, emotional reaction—born of struggle, practice, and eventual breakthrough—forms the core of why people gravitate toward music. AI, lacking a physical form and conscious intent, cannot replicate the sense of accomplishment that accompanies mastering a skill.
AI’s Practical Uses Acknowledged by Schlif
Despite his reservations, Schlif does not dismiss AI outright. He sees value in its application for songwriting, production, and even creating printable sheet music. “I think AI is great for making some music, producing some songs, printing some things out,” he noted. However, he challenges the technology to prove its worth in live settings: “prove to me that it’s going to be engaging on the stage or with an audience.” For Schlif, the true test of any musical tool lies in its ability to connect with listeners in a shared, spontaneous environment—a realm where human presence still reigns supreme.
Balancing Technology and Tradition
Both Davis and Schlif agree that the future of music does not have to be an either‑or proposition. AI can serve as another tool in the artist’s toolbox, offering free or low‑cost avenues for creation and distribution, as evidenced by Davis’ tracks available on Spotify and accompanying videos on YouTube. Simultaneously, the human element—expression, soul, and passion—will continue to give music its enduring meaning. Schlif summed this up by saying, “We have expression, we have souls, we are passionate about things, and all those things can be expressed through music.”
Navigating the Line Between Live and Computer‑Generated
Looking ahead, Schlif urges the music community to establish clear boundaries between live performance and computer‑generated output. “It’s not going to go away, but we need to know where to separate live from computer‑generated,” he advised. This delineation will help preserve the authenticity of live concerts while allowing innovators like Davis to explore new sonic landscapes without compromising the spiritual intent behind their work.
Conclusion: The Enduring Human Drive Behind Music
As AI continues to reshape how songs are composed, produced, and shared, the fundamental reasons people make music remain deeply human. Whether it is Davis’ conviction‑driven rap aimed at guiding listeners toward faith or Schlif’s joy in witnessing a novice’s first note, music’s power lies in its ability to convey inner experience and foster connection. The local Sioux Falls scene exemplifies a broader trend: technology will keep advancing, but the heart of music—its capacity to express emotion, belief, and community—will persist, guided by the artists who wield both traditional instruments and emerging AI tools in harmony.
https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2026/08/15/musician-vs-machine-sioux-falls-artists-see-ai-differently/