Navigating AI in the Music Industry
By Amanda Serulneck, Rights Management Coordinator at Vydia
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the music industry is accelerating and expanding every day. Everything is being reshaped. Whether you’re an artist trying to finish a track faster or a label looking to connect with more fans, chances are there is an AI tool out there that can help. But with all of these new possibilities, there are also some big questions to consider: How do you use AI without losing your creative voice? What could create legal problems down the line?
The Evolution of AI
AI has rapidly evolved from experimental code into an integral part of the modern music industry. In the early 2000s, AI in music was mostly confined to academic settings, where researchers were training algorithms to analyze compositions or mimic classic styles. Programs like Professor David Cope’s “Experiments in Musical Intelligence” a.k.a. EMI were early examples of AI-generated music, but they felt more like theoretical than practical tools. Over the past decade, AI’s capabilities have drastically expanded. AI can now understand patterns in melody, harmony, rhythm, and even listener behavior. What started as a sort of sci-fi novelty has evolved into a powerful set of tools that are now integrated into songwriting, mixing, mastering, marketing, and fan engagement.
Why Artists Might Benefit From AI
Artificial intelligence in music often conjures images of deepfakes, such as AI-generated songs or voice imitations. While these examples exist, focusing solely on them overlooks AI’s potential as a valuable tool within the industry. In reality, AI can serve to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and effort.
AI is being used to help with everything from songwriting and beat-making to mixing, mastering, and marketing. Tools like AIVA, BandLab’s SongStarter, and iZotope’s mixing plugins can help you build up an idea for a song, tighten up production, or polish your final mix. Some artists are using AI to generate lyric prompts when they’re experiencing writer’s block or experimenting with AI-generated stems to get inspired. Others are utilizing data-driven AI tools that help track fan engagement, optimize release schedules, or suggest the most effective time to post content on social media.
AI can save time, cut costs, and help you stay creative without burn-out. For artists who are doing everything themselves – from writing and recording to uploading and promoting – AI can help take some of the pressure off.
Case Studies: How AI Is Already Shaping the Industry
In 2019, Warner Music Group’s Spinnin Records signed a distribution deal with Endel, an AI-powered app that creates personalized soundscapes for sleep, focus, and relaxation. Endel’s algorithm generates music in real time based on data like the time of day, weather, and the user’s heart rate. The soundscapes are derived from the works of Spinnin Records-signed artists. This partnership marked one of the first times a major label released content created almost entirely by AI. While the deal was controversial and raised questions about writing credits and royalties, it did demonstrate the growth of AI-generated content in the music industry and efforts to expand opportunities for artists using AI.
On the independent side of the industry, BandLab’s free tool Songstarter has become quite popular for artists looking to get inspired creatively. Users type in a short prompt– a lyric, a vibe, you can even do an emoji– and the AI generates chord progressions, melodies, and beats across multiple genres. Artists can then customize and build off of the result, turning it into a full track. This is particularly helpful for musicians working solo or without access to quality studio equipment.
What Artists Should Watch Out For
With all of that being said, AI isn’t flawless and it is not without risks. One of the biggest things to be mindful of is originality. It’s easy to start to lean too heavily on AI to do the creative work, and your music might start to lose its personal touch. Authenticity resonates deeply with fans, who are drawn to the unique narratives and sounds of artists. Music perceived as excessively automated or generic often fails to engage listeners effectively.
The use of AI in music brings up several legal complexities. Copyright infringement is a major concern as many AI tools learn from existing songs. If you are utilizing AI-generated samples, lyrics, or vocals, especially those resembling other artists, you need to make sure you actually have the rights to use that material. It’s crucial to understand that not all AI-generated content is legally safe or free to use, as laws in this area are still evolving.
Another issue lies in proper metadata and credit attribution. When AI assists in writing or producing a track, its contributions must be clearly documented and labeled. Inaccurate or incomplete metadata can result in missed royalties or disputes later on.
In short, AI in music isn’t something to fear – but it is something to approach with awareness. When used wisely, it becomes a powerful tool to enhance your creative process, expand your audience, and maintain creative momentum. The key is to stay intentional – let AI help where it makes sense, but don’t let it replace what makes you you. AI is just a tool, it shouldn’t define your sound. Your voice, your choices, and your creative direction should always lead the way.
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About the Author: Amanda Serulneck is a Rights Management Coordinator at Vydia, where she helps creators protect their work and make the most of their content. Passionate about the ever-evolving music industry, she is especially interested in exploring the intersection of AI and the arts.