Musicians could lose €4 billion to generative AI every year

How likely is this AI-generated music future?

I hate to say it, but it is extremely likely. Rather than making music that rips off our favourite artists’ vocals, though, AI-generated instrumentals seem to be a more realistic part of our future.

This reality is also one that will be more accepted by the general public, who likely won’t be able to tell the difference between an AI orchestra, an AI-created lo-fi beats song, or a real ones.

CISAC also predicts that we’ll mainly interact with AI tunes on streaming platforms, with algorithms pushing listeners towards tracks made by AI. It’s likely this will be ‘background music,’ like those we hear in lifts, shared workspaces, and shopping malls.

While this may feel a little more acceptable, it will harm the income of talented musicians who have invested time and money into learning to play and perfect various instruments.

In fact, this could already be happening without our knowledge. In recent months, Universal Music Group announced it was partnering with an AI tech firm called Klay Vision (or KLAY) to explore the possibility of creating an ‘ethical’ foundation model for AI music.

The details of the partnership remain shrouded in mystery for now, but this news only further validates the predictions made in CISAC’s report.

Given that some of the world’s biggest music companies are welcoming a future where AI-generated music plays a part in their output, regulations to protect human artists and clarify ownership must be put in place sooner rather than later.