Artificial intelligence is conquering music – what does that mean for artists?

Artificial intelligence is conquering music – what does that mean for artists?

The music industry is on the verge of a revolution, not only through new sounds, but also thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). In today's digital world, AI tools make it possible to create music tracks at the touch of a button. As nn.de reports, the streaming service Deezer reports 20,000 completely AI-generated songs every day. Real musicians often act as a source of inspiration for these AI models, often without their consent. The use of AI therefore raises several questions.

German singer Levina is skeptical, noting that the quality of AI-generated songs cannot keep up with that of human musicians. Nevertheless, visibility on streaming platforms is made more difficult by the mass of music that is now being created. Christopher Annen from the musicians' association Pro Musik emphasizes that not all musicians are against the use of AI, but there is a lack of a uniform understanding of the fair use of their works. The pressure is growing because, according to Matthias Hornschuh from the “Initiative Copyright”, the unequal distribution of income on streaming services is an existing problem that could become even worse with the introduction of AI.

The challenges of copyright law

A central point is copyright, which under German law requires personal intellectual creation in order to grant works protection. Purely AI-generated products are therefore not eligible for copyright protection, as GEMA explains. However, if AI is used as a tool, copyright could arise if humans make a selection decision. This presents artists and rights holders with major challenges, as the use of pre-existing works for AI training leads to copyright issues.

In addition, there are efforts to declare reservations of use in order to regulate the use of their works for AI training. Even if AI offers new creative possibilities and optimizes processes in music production, it could endanger the authenticity and originality of artistic works. Invoices must be drawn up to ensure that artistic achievements are appropriately recognized, because kanzlei-herfurtner.de points to the need for clear legal guidelines to protect the rights of artists.

A new path for creativity

Artists and rights holders now have a responsibility to navigate this rapidly changing environment. The variety of possible uses of AI, be it in music generation or the optimization of live performances, brings with it both opportunities and risks. Voice cloning technology, which enables almost perfect imitations of voices, vividly shows how dynamic this technology is and the new questions it raises.

An important concern remains that musicians should have the opportunity to be fairly compensated for their creative works. Levina calls for more transparency and labeling of AI-generated music on the platforms, while Annen emphasizes that music should also convey human emotions - something that AI cannot replace. The debate over the role of AI in music will undoubtedly continue to engage the industry, and it is time to take action to balance artistic freedom and economic fairness.