The Growing Threat of AI to Music Industry Earnings: A Wake-Up Call for Creators' Rights

A new study reveals how artificial intelligence (AI) could drastically impact income in the music and audiovisual sectors. Experts call for urgent policy reforms to protect creators' rights in an AI-dominated world.

AI’s Potential to Disrupt the Music Industry

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is causing ripples across various industries, but few are as vulnerable as the music and audiovisual sectors. A recent study commissioned by the International Confederation of Associations of Authors and Composers (ICSA) has warned that AI could significantly reduce earnings for workers in these fields. As AI-generated content continues to proliferate, the need for sustainable and ethical policies that safeguard the rights of human creators has never been more urgent.

AI Threatens the Livelihoods of Music Industry Workers

The findings, presented in Paris by ICSA, suggest that artificial intelligence could lead to a dramatic loss of income for music professionals in the coming years. Conducted by PMP Strategy, a research and consultancy firm, the study revealed that generative AI (GAI) could cause a nearly 25% reduction in earnings for musicians over the next four years. Furthermore, employees within the broader audiovisual industry are expected to face a similar decline, with a forecasted income drop of over 20%. This stark reality comes alongside the expansion of the AI-driven generative content market, which is set to grow from three billion euros to 64 billion euros annually by 2028.

The research highlights a troubling trend where human creators might be sidelined in favor of machine-generated content. While AI tools offer potential to enhance creative work, the focus on monetizing AI has raised concerns about its long-term impact on those who depend on their artistic contributions for their livelihood.

Ethical and Economic Policies: A Call to Action

Ángeles González-Cinde Reg, deputy head of MKZAK and a prominent screenwriter, emphasized the urgency of placing human creators at the heart of policymaking in an AI-dominated future. González-Cinde Reg cautioned against the temptation to prioritize profits from AI technology at the expense of the people who drive creative industries. She stressed that policymakers must design regulations that protect creators' rights, ensuring that AI remains a tool to augment human creativity, not replace it entirely.

The ICSA report also pointed to the risk of further enrichment for large tech companies, who stand to benefit the most from the growth of generative AI. Without regulatory intervention, creators could see their intellectual property rights diluted, and their revenue streams significantly reduced. The lack of protection could mean that a technology designed to support innovation might instead marginalize the very individuals responsible for the creative work.

Global Leadership: The Case of Australia and New Zealand

In response to these concerns, MKZAK President and former ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus pointed to Australia and New Zealand as exemplary models in the fight to protect creators from the detrimental effects of AI. According to Ulvaeus, these countries have made significant strides in crafting policies that not only protect copyright retention but also ensure that AI serves as a tool to complement, rather than replace, human creativity.

Ulvaeus' comments echo the growing sentiment among international experts that AI should not overshadow the contributions of human artists. Instead, it should act as a collaborative partner, enhancing creativity while respecting the rights of those who create original works.

 Protecting Creators in the Age of AI

The rise of artificial intelligence presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the music and audiovisual sectors. However, without careful regulation and ethical oversight, AI’s growing influence could undermine the livelihoods of creators worldwide. The ICSA study serves as a timely reminder of the need for sustainable policies that place human creators at the forefront of the AI revolution. Only with the right frameworks in place can we ensure that AI enhances, rather than replaces, the invaluable contributions of human talent in the creative industries.