Music, more than 50,000 tracks processed with AI on streaming platforms every day
Hollywood reporter surveyed the field, asking almost 3,000 Americans what they thought of music generated by artificial intelligence
The entertainment and music magazine Hollywood reporter in collaboration with the University of Miami's Frost School of Music conducted a survey focusing on audience listening habits. The survey also focused on opinions about music generated by artificial intelligence and how this phenomenon is changing the record market.
The global record market is indeed under pressure: according to one estimate, more than 50,000 AI-processed tracks are uploaded to major streaming services every day. The advancement of AI in music has progressed by leaps and bounds, to the point where even the most experienced listeners cannot distinguish between classically produced and fully generated tracks. The mild interest in AI music and the protection towards it
Reluctance towards AI-generated music is widespread: just over half of Americans say they are not interested in listening to it.
However, sentiment is sharper on the issue of royalties: as many as 62% of respondents believe that creators of music with AI should obtain permission from the original artist when replicating their voice. This belief translates into the need not only to seek permission, but also to pay royalties to artists whose voices are artificially generated. On this view, Baby Boomers stand at 58%, Gen X trails just behind at 52%, while Millennials and Gen Z hover around 50%.
On the other hand, there is a markedly opposite opinion in favour of accepting AI-generated music without any human intervention (whether in lyrics, melody, arrangement or production) on a par with classically produced music. In this case, dissent is high: Baby Boomers stand at 75% disapproval, Gen X at 63%, Millennials at 57% and Gen Z at 52%.
