The Bloomberg Tech: Europe episode explores how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the music industry, from the creation of AI-generated artists to the use of advanced production tools. The show highlights the rise of platforms like Suno, Udio, Loudly, and Musico, which allow anyone to produce fully realized songs in minutes without traditional instruments or studio time. The global market for AI-generated music is booming, projected to grow from $440 million in 2023 to nearly $2.8 billion by 2030. However, this surge has sparked concerns among artists about the potential for AI to flood streaming platforms with synthetic songs, overshadow human creators, and mimic famous voices without consent.

Grammy-winner will.i.am, founder and CEO of FYI.AI, offers an optimistic perspective, viewing AI as a tool for a new creative renaissance rather than a threat. He emphasizes that while artists should have control over how their work is used for AI training, the technology is advancing to the point where it can generate music based on theory rather than direct imitation. Will.i.am also stresses the need for broader data governance and regulation to protect all types of creative work, not just music, and suggests that the real disruption may affect professions like law and accounting even more than musicians.

Jessica Powell, CEO of Audioshake, discusses how AI tools are already being used to remix and repurpose existing recordings, but she identifies the mass production of fully AI-generated tracks as the real challenge. She points out that streaming platforms are already grappling with issues like streaming fraud and the proliferation of low-quality, bot-generated music, problems that generative AI could amplify. Powell believes that while AI will create new opportunities for creativity, the industry must address how to treat 100% AI-generated tracks on streaming services to ensure fair competition for human artists.

Helienne Lindvall, president of the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance, underscores the importance of licensing and transparency in deals between major labels and AI companies. She notes that while licensing is a crucial first step to ensure compensation for creators, there is a lack of clarity about how money from these deals will be distributed and whether songwriters and composers will benefit. Lindvall also criticizes the European Union’s AI Act as being too weak on copyright protection, making it difficult for creators to know if their works have been used to train AI models.

Throughout the episode, the discussion returns to the need for clear labeling of AI-generated music, so consumers can distinguish between human and machine-made content—much like the distinction between organic and non-organic food. While AI bands and virtual artists are expected to become more common, the panelists agree that live, human experiences will retain a special value. The episode concludes with the recognition that the music industry is at a crossroads, facing both unprecedented creative opportunities and significant challenges in ensuring fair treatment and recognition for human creators in the age of AI.