AI in the music industry
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Silence speaks volumes on the impact of AI in the music industry
Friday, 28 February, 2025This week saw big hitters taking a stand on the impact of AI in the music industry. Renowned artists released a silent album in protest and the UK national newspapers each printed an identical front-page reading 'Make It Fair' in a bid to tackle ‘plans to water down copyright laws’.
But what impact is AI having on the music industry? BSU’s Head of School of Music and Performing Arts, Dr Matthew Lovett is an award-winning creative practitioner and published researcher on the topic and has stepped up to the mic to share his take on the situation.
With AI developing at a rapid rate, the impact of it within the music industry is already being felt, and the UK Government has proposed a shift in the way copyright is being regulated, which has set into motion poignant actions within the industry. Matthew explained:
“We've got a very traditional set of copyright regulations that, as you can imagine, were designed before AI, and now AI has come along, and all these things that we're experiencing, like deep fakes and different versions of things that you can type into a song generator, has completely upset the applecart.”
A consultation on how the regulations might change, with a proposal of an ‘opt out process’, has just closed. If the outcome were to be a move towards an ‘opt out process’, it would reportedly make it easier for AI companies to train models using copyrighted work without a licence.
Matthew recounted:
“The UK creative industry is worth around £120 billion to our economy. And there's over 2 million people employed in UK creative industries. If AI starts accessing all of that great creative content, then that's people's livelihoods at stake.”
More than 1,000 musicians, including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn and Kate Bush, released a silent album on Tuesday in protest of this.
Talking about the statement being made, Matthew added:
“What artists are saying is ‘no', they want the tables turned the other way so [their music will be] automatically copyright protected. [...] They’re saying if AI is given access to creative content it's basically going to start hollowing out the UK creative industry.”
The artists coming up through the industry are likely to feel the impact of this potential change the most:
“While many of the musicians who have contributed to the silent album do not need to worry so much about the impact of AI, it is the future generation of musicians and music industry professionals who need protection, and the contribution they make to the UK economy.”
Despite this potential impact, the music sector continues to use AI in all sorts of positive and creative ways:
“AI absolutely has got potential to do great things. We just need to make sure that musicians, as they always have done it, are paid properly for their content.”
“All of us in creative industries need to find ways to use AI to support our creative work, to help us in our connecting and storytelling through our arts, with human creativity at the core."
BSU is committed to helping its students to thrive in the rapidly evolving music industry.
Speaking about how BSU's School of Music and Performing Arts is looking to make the most of the opportunities AI presents in the music industry, Matthew said:
“We’re in the process of developing and implementing a range of AI-related learning activities across the School which we’ll launch in the autumn.”
Did you catch Dr Matthew Lovett on BBC Radio Bristol and Somerset this week? Catch up on BBC Sounds.
Are you looking to take the next step towards the ever-evolving music industry? The courses in our School of Music and Performing Arts could be just what you’re looking for.