study
Music creators fear economic damage from AI
Music creators and music publishers are demanding more transparency from companies that develop AI tools (symbolic image). photo
© Peter Steffen/dpa
A new study warns of massive financial losses for music creators due to artificial intelligence. Technological advances could fundamentally change the music industry.
Author of pieces of music Germany and France could suffer billions in economic damage from artificial intelligence (AI) models in the coming years.
This is shown by a study by the German collecting society Gema and its French counterpart Sacem on the topic of “Generative AI and Music”, which was presented in Berlin. The study estimates that 27 percent of authors’ income is at risk – meaning there is a risk of losses of more than 2.7 billion euros by 2028.
Two thirds of those affected are concerned about the risks of AI. The area of film music is already experiencing significant problems due to models that automatically generate license-free background music. “Is this the beginning of a process where it is no longer worthwhile for people to make music as a normal job and to be able to make a living from it?” asked Gema boss Tobias Holzmüller.
The problem is based on two pillars
On the one hand, many AI applications use existing works as a basis to train the models. This has not yet been paid, according to Gema and Sacem. Appropriate remuneration is important. On the other hand, the flooding of streaming services with AI-generated music should not lead to a decline in artists’ income in the digital environment.
But the technology also offers opportunities. According to the results, 35 percent of those surveyed use AI models to support music production. For those under 35, the figure is even more than half. Works that are produced independently by AI models are not protected by copyright by Gema. With AI support, works can be registered.
According to the study, 95 percent of music creators and music publishers are demanding more transparency from companies that develop AI tools. 93 percent would like more support from politicians. The Federal Association of the Music Industry also emphasized the need for a legal framework for the use of AI in the music world.
The collecting societies Gema and Sacem manage the rights of around 300,000 members in Germany and France.