ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus has warned of the potential pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence in the music industry. In his forward to a new report from CISAC, a non-profit organisation that represents songwriters and composers, Ulvaeus warned that AI could present an “existential challenge” for the industry.
The report found that royalty collections for songwriters and composers had recovered from pre-pandemic levels. Speaking on the matter, Ulvaeus said: “CMOs (collective management organisations) have the backs of the creators they serve and are now delivering more money to more creators than ever before. But the industry is now facing another serious, existential challenge – that of artificial intelligence. AI will radically change the world for creators and the creative industry.”
CISAC director general Gadi Oron added: “While live and public performance have bounced back strongly, the recovery is driven most of all by digital which has now become creators’ largest source of income. Streaming and subscription have not just revived the status quo, they have transformed the market, changed the game for creators and paved the way for future growth.”
YouTube recently revealed that they are working on a new AI tool that would allow select users to create videos that utilize the voices of well-known musicians, pending permission from record labels.
Reactions to the potential of AI in the music industry have been varied. While some artists, such as Grimes, have given permission for fans to use their voice in their own music with the help of AI, others, such as Nick Cave, have spoken out against the perceived threat of AI to the industry. Regardless, the potential of AI in music is an issue that will undoubtedly need to be addressed in the industry in the near future.
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