AI-Generated Music: A Tidal Wave of Change for the Music Industry
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The music streaming industry, a multi-billion dollar behemoth, is facing an unprecedented challenge: the surge of AI-generated music adn the complex questions it raises about artist compensation and copyright. Platforms like Deezer are grappling with a flood of algorithmically created tracks, from ambient soundscapes to fully composed songs, forcing a re-evaluation of established industry norms.
Deezer’s recent actions highlight the scale of the problem. Over a year, the platform removed approximately 11 million tracks deemed ineligible for artist royalties.These included sounds categorized as white noise, such as “fan noise by the sea” and “vacuum cleaner” noises, illustrating the difficulty in distinguishing between genuine artistic creations and algorithmically generated content. This action underscores the urgent need for clear guidelines and a robust legal framework.
The financial stakes are enormous. Spotify alone generated an estimated $10 billion in 2024,with the majority of revenue going towards production. The challenge lies in ensuring that every rights holder receives their fair share, a task made exponentially more complex by the rise of AI-generated content.
Ludovic Pouilly, director of relations with the music industry at Deezer, emphasized the need to avoid “dilution,” stating, “what we do not want is that there is dilution: there is no question of paying a noise of vacuum cleaner likewise that we pay a real artist.”
To address this, Deezer created its own noise library, excluding it from royalty calculations, while acknowledging the need to balance user satisfaction with fair compensation for artists.
The Evolving “Game Rules”
The sheer volume of AI-generated content presents a meaningful hurdle. Deezer reports receiving approximately 10,000 completely AI-generated tracks daily, representing about 10% of its daily content intake. While these tracks aren’t currently banned, Pouilly explained, “We need to look at the uses before making informed decisions.”
Julien Dumon, director of digital at SACEM (a powerful collective management body), raised a crucial question: “The real question is: will we not have to consider that the content 100% generative, without act of creation as such, are – or not – to catalog in the same basket that the white noises?”
SACEM signed an agreement with Deezer in January to improve creator compensation, highlighting the industry’s efforts to address these challenges.
The rise of AI-generated music is a recent phenomenon, emerging in an industry already grappling with the fallout from the decline of physical media sales.Streaming platforms, initially focused on rapid growth and redistribution of revenue to popular artists, are now facing pressure to ensure fair compensation for all creators.
Dumon emphasized the stakes, stating, “At stake, ‘the capacity for our creators to live in their profession’,”
adding, “We want the Spotify, Deezer and others to grow, but we also want there to be rules of the game,”
applicable to all.
Establishing “Common Codes”
Spotify, having recently signed a global agreement with Global Music Group for improved artist compensation, points to the lack of a legal framework for 100% AI-generated sounds.Antoine Monin, general manager of Spotify France and Benelux, noted, “We are at the beginning of the beginning of the codification of uses” and “we must agree to have common codes”
on a global scale.
However, Monin clarified that Spotify won’t act as a content censor, stating, “Spotify will never position itself as an elegance referee” who is “sorting at the entrance,”
acknowledging the historical interplay between art and technology in the music industry.
Unlike samplers or synthesizers, generative AI raises concerns because it trains on existing works without regard for copyright. Cécile Rap-Veber, director general of SACEM, strongly criticized this practice, calling it “looting.”
This sentiment was echoed by President Emmanuel Macron, who, while acknowledging AI’s potential as a “creative instrument,”
emphasized the need to prevent AI from “remov[ing] the value of creation.”
the music industry is at a crossroads. The rise of AI-generated music presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring a collaborative effort to establish fair compensation models and protect the rights of artists in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Title: Navigating the Soundscape Revolution: AI-Generated Music and Its Impact on Artist Compensation
Q: The rise of AI-generated music is seen as a tidal wave poised to reshape the music industry. What are the basic challenges it poses to traditional artist compensation models?
A: The advent of AI in music production introduces a multitude of challenges, primarily centered around the complexities of copyright and compensation. Traditional music compensation models were designed for human-created content, where rights and royalties could be clearly defined and allocated. With AI, these lines blur, as the technology often trains on existing works without regard for copyright, often likened to “looting” by industry experts like Cécile Rap-Veber, the director general of SACEM. The pressing challenge lies in ensuring fair compensation while distinguishing between human artistry and algorithmically generated outputs. Platforms like Deezer are addressing this by excluding AI-generated content such as ambient noises from royalty calculations,as evidenced by their removal of roughly 11 million tracks over a specified period.
Q: With streaming giants like Deezer reporting the intake of thousands of AI-generated tracks daily, how can platforms balance user satisfaction with equitable compensation for artists?
Ludovic Pouilly, director of relations with the music industry at Deezer, previously emphasized avoiding “dilution” in artist compensation, asserting that generative noises should not be paid like human-created art. Deezer has taken a proactive approach by creating its own noise library, thereby excluding such content from royalty considerations. This balance is crucial as platforms can no longer afford to ignore user engagement—AI-generated content often attracts listeners due to its novelty—which must be harmonized with robust artist compensation frameworks.
Q: Given the potential for AI to “remov[e] the value of creation,” as noted by President Emmanuel Macron, what strategic measures can industry stakeholders undertake to protect the intrinsic value of human artists?
A: Protecting the value of human artistry in the age of AI necessitates a multifaceted strategy. First and foremost,establishing extensive legal frameworks is imperative. Platforms and rights management organizations like SACEM are actively involved in this process, as evidenced by their collaboration with Deezer to improve creator compensation. Moreover, adopting standardized practices, or “common codes,” on a global scale, as advocated by Antoine Monin from Spotify, the general manager of Spotify France and Benelux, is vital. These codes will help delineate what constitutes human versus AI-generated content, ensuring transparency and fairness in compensation models. Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation while respecting copyright laws could encourage ethical AI use, enriching the music industry without undermining human creators.
Q: how can music streaming platforms navigate the “beginning of the beginning of the codification of uses” for AI-generated sounds, ensuring they’re not acting as arbiters of artistic value?
A: Music streaming platforms must tread cautiously in their role, ensuring they do not unjustly gatekeep artistic creativity—an effort highlighted by Antoine Monin’s statement that Spotify will not act as an “elegance referee.” Striking the right balance involves setting clear guidelines for content inclusion while staying open to the evolving landscape of music creation. Platforms could benefit from collaborating closely with artists, producers, and legal experts to establish clear, equitable criteria for content assessment. This collaborative approach not only respects the sanctity of artistic creation but also adapts to technological advancements.
Q: What steps should creators and industry stakeholders take to prepare for a rapidly evolving digital landscape in music production and distribution?
A: To navigate these turbulent waters,creators and industry stakeholders must emphasize education and adaptation. Creators should gain a comprehensive understanding of AI technology and legal rights associated with AI-generated content. Engaging in continuous dialog with platforms and industry bodies like SACEM can help shape fair policies. Additionally, stakeholders should advocate for global agreements to standardize compensation practices, preventing the dilution of artist royalties. By embracing innovation while prioritizing ethical standards,the music industry can harness AI’s potential without sacrificing the livelihood of its creators.
Final Thought: As we stand at this pivotal juncture, the music industry faces both challenges and opportunities presented by AI-generated music. Building a collaborative ecosystem that guards artist rights while embracing technological advances will define this new soundscape.We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with AI in music in the comments below or on social media. How do you see the role of AI in shaping the future of music, and what are your thoughts on ensuring fair compensation for all creators? Join the conversation and let’s explore this transformative era together.