Will AI ruin music?
For some time now, generative AI has been a hot topic, and this trend has entered the music scene as well. On one hand, these technologies are making music more accessible to newcomers, enabling them to explore new forms of expression. On the other, they’re generating a surplus of content that doesn’t always reach an acceptable level of quality.
The impact of generative AI on music quality
Generative AI allows music to be created quickly and affordably, lowering production barriers and enabling immediate publishing on Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
However, this accessibility brings a significant issue: musical inflation.
According to our analysis, we are facing an enormous volume of tracks published daily without a real quality filter. This risk of saturation results in platforms being flooded with content that doesn’t reflect an adequate artistic standard, making it difficult to distinguish authentic productions from mass-generated ones and undermining the hard work of many artists.
A saturated market: what does it mean for new artists?
With over 150,000 new songs published daily, the music market is more competitive than ever. But how many of these tracks are produced with AI assistance? This inflation makes it challenging for emerging artists to stand out, and increasingly difficult for audiences to find quality content.
The result is a musical landscape where talent risks being overshadowed by an abundance of automated productions, negatively impacting the discovery of new artists.
It’s no surprise that platforms like SoundCloud have partnered with AI companies to protect the music of artists who publish on their platform, preventing other AIs from learning from this content and limiting AI use to appropriate platforms only.
A possible return to rigorous selection
To restore balance, some people believe there’s a need for a more rigorous selection system. One concrete example could be reintroducing a certification exam for music publishers. The presence of professional figures like music selectors and A&Rs (Artist & Repertoire) could be essential to filter and ensure high music quality. These experts could serve as a guide for the public, bringing authentic talent to the forefront and helping the industry maintain an artistic standard.
Technology serving art or the market?
Generative AI and bots on Spotify are powerful tools that, if used appropriately, can transform the music industry and make it more inclusive. However, without proper regulation and a selection system, we risk compromising the artistic value of music, saturating the world with content created and published at an overwhelming rate. The challenge is to find a balance between innovation and quality, between accessibility and selection.
Can artists be saved from AI?
Every day, about 150,000 songs are published, making the music market one of the most competitive and least accessible. Certainly, an effective solution to ease the pressure of these 150,000 songs is a well-rounded music promotion approach, based on trust, community, and the genuine development of streaming platform algorithms. Want to learn more? The button below could be just what you need. And if you have any questions or doubts, don’t hesitate to contact us!