The Revolution of Generative AI Music: Opportunities and Challenges

The Revolution of Generative AI Music: Opportunities and Challenges

The music industry is currently in the midst of a revolutionary change due to the introduction of generative AI technologies. These technologies, which enable machines to compose and produce music, have the potential to fundamentally change the way we create and consume music. Never before has such a novel technology been available to so many people in such a simple way.

Any person, anywhere in the world, who has access to a computer or smartphone with internet can use this technology and create music in an instant. While Spotify took about 5 years to reach 8 million users, Suno (an AI tool for creating music) achieved this in just 8 months! This demonstrates the significant growth rate and interest in this new technology.

In this article, we will explore various facets of this development, including the opportunities it offers and the risks it brings.

What is generative AI music?

Generative AI music refers to the use of artificial intelligence for automated music creation. This technology is based on algorithms and machine learning models that are capable of recognizing musical patterns from audio or MIDI files and creating new compositions that typically bear some similarity to the learned styles. Some of the most well-known tools in this field include OpenAI's MuseNet, Google's Magenta, Suno, or Udio.

Opportunities of generative AI music

Creative diversity: One of the biggest advantages of generative AI is its ability to produce a wide range of music styles. This allows artists and producers to explore and experiment with new musical territories. For example, a composer can play with various genres, moods, and instrumentations that they might not have been able to implement in a conventional way. In this context, AI serves more as a practical, supportive tool rather than a replacement for composers.

Personalization: Another exciting potential of generative AI lies in the possibility of personalized music. AI can create music tailored to the individual preferences and tastes of users. This could be particularly useful in areas such as wellness and fitness, where music plays an important role.

Therapeutic application: In music therapy, AI can be used to create personalized pieces of music that are tailored to the specific needs and preferences of patients. This can help reduce stress, improve mood, and support healing processes.

The platform Endel, for example, is one of the first AI providers that creates new functional soundscapes based on existing tracks, which can promote well-being or sleep.

Challenges of generative AI music

Copyright issues: One of the most complex challenges associated with generative AI music is the question of copyright. Who owns the music created by an AI? Does the AI developer have rights to it, the user who uses the AI, or the AI itself? These questions are not yet legally clear and require thorough investigation and possibly new legal regulations.

GEMA is particularly committed to the rights and interests of music creators, as we are convinced that the creators of the works with which an AI was trained have at least a claim to fair compensation! For example, under the significant influence of GEMA, the transparency requirement for AI providers for training data was anchored in the EU AI Act.

Quality control: Although generative AI is capable of producing impressive music, the quality is often not consistent. It often requires significant post-processing and human creativity to ensure that the music meets the desired standards. Without this human control, the music could sound uninspired or repetitive.

Cultural impacts: The introduction of generative AI in the music industry could have profound cultural impacts. Traditional roles of musicians could change, and there is a risk that human creativity and authenticity could take a back seat to automated processes. This could lead to alienation between artists and their audience.

Ethical considerations: The use of AI to create music also raises ethical questions. How should we evaluate the use of AI in creative processes? What responsibility do developers and users of AI bear for the content they generate? These questions need to be carefully weighed to ensure that the technology is used responsibly.

GEMA and SACEM study on generative AI

To better assess the potential impacts of generative AI on the music industry, GEMA conducted a study in cooperation with its French sister society SACEM. Here are the key findings:

1. Rapid market development: The market for generative AI in music will grow to over 3 billion USD by 2028, with an annual growth of about 60%. Currently, the music industry accounts for about 8% of the total market for generative AI, which corresponds to approximately 300 million USD in 2023.
2. Existential risks: Despite the massive growth, it is estimated that 27% of authors' income is at risk in the medium term, which could lead to a cumulative income loss of about 2.7 billion euros for members of GEMA and SACEM by 2028. 71% of the creatives surveyed fear that AI threatens their existence.
3. Use of AI: Already 35% of the creatives surveyed use AI in their work, with this proportion rising to 51% among those under 35. Nevertheless, 64% of creatives see the risks of AI use as greater than the opportunities.
4. Demands for transparency and regulation: An overwhelming majority of creatives demand more transparency from companies developing AI tools (95%), and emphasize the need for politics to give greater consideration to the challenges of AI and copyright (93%). There is a desire for clear regulations regarding the use of AI-generated content.

Conclusion

Despite the potential offered by generative AI, fears and risks currently outweigh for many creatives. The study underscores the need to shape the framework conditions in such a way that all parties can appropriately participate in the success of this technology.

It is important that we, as a global community of creative professionals, advocate for ensuring sustainable and fair use and receiving fair compensation as the creators of the training data.

GEMA gives them a strong voice, because music is worth something to us!

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About the author:

Oliver Kruse, Manager Strategy, Innovation and New Business at GEMA, with many years of experience in the music industry and a focus on technological innovations and their impact on the music market.

‍Follow Oliver Kruse on LinkedIn

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Sources:

https://www.gema.de/en/w/gema-sacem-unveil-results-of-ai-study

https://www.waterandmusic.com/suno-funding-historic-shift-music-tech-investment

https://miz.org/de/nachrichten/gema-fordert-transparenzregelungen-beim-europaeischen-ai-act

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