David Guetta’s performance showcased the potential of AI in music, as he used AI tools to create a Future Rave song in Eminem style that had the audience going wild. 2023 may be the year of head-on collision between AI music and human music. AI music has become increasingly popular in the past two years, with music companies and streaming platforms accelerating their layout of AI technology. High-end disruptors such as Music LM and Jukebox are also entering the market, and ordinary AI music platforms have already received commercial cooperation from big brands like Audi. However, the use of AI music raises questions of infringement, making it the most worrying issue for AI music in applications. As AI music continues to grow in popularity, it remains to be seen how the industry will handle the potential infringement issues that may arise.
The music industry is concerned about the development of AI music, as it threatens the jobs of musicians and record companies. The RIAA and BPI have both submitted reports to the US and UK governments respectively, advocating for attention to be paid to AI music infringement. The UK government proposed allowing AI training to use creative works, including music, without the permission of the creators and rights holders, but this was strongly opposed by the UK music industry, prompting the government to reconsider the proposal. AI music represents a tool to expand creative boundaries and improve efficiency, but it also poses a threat to the livelihood of musicians and record companies.
Napster, a P2P music sharing platform launched in 1999, caused a huge disruption to the music industry. It allowed users to share mp3 files, and within 4 months of going online, it had attracted more than 150,000 users. This caused a huge drop in the sales of tapes, CDs and vinyl records, and the income scale of the music industry in the following 20 years was unable to exceed the peak in 1999. In 2019, RIAA sued Napster, and artists like Dr. Dre and record companies like EMI strongly protested against it.
Recently, record companies have become increasingly concerned about the potential harm AI song generation could cause to musicians, and have called for no relaxation of copyright law to promote AI development, potentially causing a Napster-level crisis for copyright protection.
Napster, a file-sharing service, was shut down in 2001 after multiple lawsuits with record companies and artists. After this, Spotify emerged as the strongest player in the industry by reaching an agreement with copyright holders. Now, AI music is becoming increasingly popular, but it is also accused of “stealing” the fruits of creators. To avoid the same fate as Napster, AI music companies must reach a consensus with copyright holders. Music companies, who had previously been resistant to streaming, have learned from the past and are now joining the trend of AI music. To ensure success, they must find a way to ride the wheel of the times and make themselves run faster. With the right approach, AI music companies can avoid the same fate as Napster and ensure a successful future.
The music industry is rapidly adapting to the use of AI music composition tools, with Universal Music and other record companies lobbying the government and rushing to become players in the field. AI-created music is being used in functional music such as games, commercials, and environmental music, and streaming platforms are looking to reduce copyright costs. Google’s Music LM is a music version of ChatGPT, which can compose songs based on user-entered text, and ByteDance, Huawei, NetEase, and Kuaishou have all acquired or developed their own AI composition tools. AI music composition tools are becoming increasingly popular, allowing users to generate songs with only lyrics input, and AI singers to create exclusive songs for users.
AI music companies are actively involved in the music industry, providing music for focus, relaxation, and sleep scenes. Endel, Lifescore, Flow Machines, Soundful, and Landr are some of the AI music companies that have received investments from record companies such as Warner Music, AVEX, Sony, Concord Music, and Royalty Exchange. These companies provide AI-assisted music creation tools, copyright authorization, remote team collaboration, automated mastering processing, and distribution to over 150 streaming platforms. Google’s SingSong even allows users to generate accompaniment by humming, making it possible for tone-deafs to fulfill their dream of being a musician. AI music companies are revolutionizing the music industry and providing more opportunities for musicians.
The US District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted the Chamber of Digital Commerce’s request to file an amicus curiae brief in the case between the SEC and Ripple Labs. The brief supports Ripple’s argument that a digital asset is not a security solely by virtue of being represented in digital form or recorded on a blockchain ledger. The SEC has not taken a position on the brief, but has said it may request more time if more amicus briefs are granted. Ripple’s defence team has argued that this is an attempt to delay resolution of the case and should be rejected.
NetEase Cloud Music has made a strategic investment in AIVA, an AI music composition assistance platform, to help creators with simple and efficient music production. ByteDance’s music creation tool Sponge Band has also introduced AI technology. HYBE acquired AI voice company Supertone in 2022, speculated to be used for virtual idols. Spotify acquired AI voice platform Sonantic and launched the AI DJ to provide personalized song services. In China, iFlytek launched the “iFlytek Voice” brand, Tencent AI Lab released digital person “Ai Ling” and Kugou Voice Apollo Sound Lab developed the “Lingyin Engine” for sound synthesis. AI technology is being used to help music creators with efficient production, create virtual idols and provide personalized content for fans, as well as to highly restore and reproduce the sound characteristics of singers.
AI is revolutionizing the music industry, with AI-driven A&R platforms such as Sodatone and Instrumental being used to find new talent and analyze social media and tour data. AI is also being used to automate marketing activities, recognize high-value audiences, and predict high-value social media audience behavior. AI is eliminating some jobs in the music industry, such as songwriting, A&R, copywriting, marketing, and music library management, while also providing assistance to people in tedious tasks. AI is helping music companies find the next Billie Eilish or BTS, and is providing a new way for music companies to reach their audiences.
AI has already revolutionized the music industry, with its presence in all aspects of the music industry. Although AI music creation is still a Pandora’s box yet to be opened, due to copyright issues, record companies are aware that refusing to accept it is not the right attitude. Instead, they are investing heavily in it and finding ways to make it work for them. AI music has already arrived, and it is only a matter of time and method before it is fully accepted and utilized.
