How Will Artists Adapt to AI in the Music Industry?

AI-generated music is increasingly infiltrating streaming platforms, sparking significant concerns regarding the future of human labor and creative authenticity in the music industry. While early generative AI functioned as a supportive tool for songwriting, current models like Suno and Udio are designed to replace human artists, effectively reducing royalty payouts and bypassing the need for human rights holders. This shift threatens to commodify artistic expression, as seen with AI-generated figures like Zanaya Monet securing major record deals. Critics, including advocates from the United Musicians and Allied Workers, argue that these technologies devalue human labor and exploit the creative innovations of marginalized communities. Conversely, some artists leverage AI for business operations and marketing, emphasizing a distinction between using technology for administrative efficiency versus replacing the emotional, human-driven soul of musical performance.