Shift from Traditional Education to Artificial Intelligence: Implications for the Music Sector
AI-Generated Tunes and the Tussle for Rights
In the heart of Europe, the city of Berlin hums with the noise of innovation. Today, that innovation revolves around music, as AI takes center stage. AI-generated tracks, piped out by providers, are flooding streaming platforms every day. But, here's the twist: these providers may not have the artists' blessings. Deezer, a prominent streaming platform, sees a whopping 20,000 AI-produced tracks daily—and while these tracks don't quite match the quality of human-made music, the sheer volume is making it tough for musicians to shine.
Levina, a German singer who chairs a council for musicians' rights in the UK, is vocal about the predicament. She admits that artists generally don't oppose AI per se, but they're uneasy about their work being "snatched up" by companies. The fear is that these firms will then cash in, making millions while leaving the artists high and dry.
The income disparity isn't a new concern for musicians. They see AI as merely adding fuel to a long-burning fire. Streaming services, especially the dominant ones, have been siphoning away earnings for many artists for years. A study backed by the German government puts it in numbers: in 2023, 75% of streaming service revenues will go to just 0.1% of artists.
Gema, a German copyright collective for the music industry, fear that AI could make this problem worse. If left unchecked, they estimate that AI could gobble up 27% of creators' earnings—a potential loss of over €2.7 billion in Germany and France alone by 2028. In response, Gema has taken a stand: they've been embroiled in legal battles against AI providers like OpenAI and Suno since last year[1][2].
Gema claims that Suno's AI program has almost perfectly replicated real songs, such as hits like "Breathless Through the Night" by Helene Fischer and "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega[4]. For creators like Levina, transparency is key. She wants streaming services to display which music is AI-generated, and artists in general need more clarity about payments[5]. The music industry's fight for their rights is far from over, Levina warns, or the industry could plunge even deeper.
Christopher Annen, of musician's union Pro Musik, believes that AI can't replicate one thing: emotional resonance. Music can heal, comfort, and inspire us. AI-generated songs, according to Annen, fall flat when it comes to evoking deep emotions. "An AI didn't break a heart," he remarks.
When it comes to the future of music, tech, and rights, it seems the industry's stakes have never been higher. The spotlight is shining brightly on the relationship between creators and AI, and the battlelines are being drawn[3].
The ambitious use of AI in music production, as seen in Berlin, could potentially lead to a significant portion of artists' earnings being intercepted by streaming platform providers, a concern raised by Levina, a German singer. In response, Gema, a copyright collective for the music industry, has been actively engaging in legal battles against AI providers like OpenAI and Suno.
