PRS for Music survey shows most musicians are now worried about AI-generated music
New PRS for Music data reveals how creators are concerned about AI music’s impact, echoing the wider music industry.
PRS for Music’s latest survey shows just how much creators are concerned about where AI music is heading. And the concern is growing fast too.
Two years on from its previous study, the UK music copyright collective has surveyed more than 2,600 members to understand how attitudes have shifted as AI tools become more prominent within music creation.
The numbers paint a picture
The report reveals some stand out figures for how creators truly feel.
Rising concerns
Four in five creators (79%) are worried about the competition posed by AI-generated music. That’s up 5% from 2023. Three in four (76%) believe AI could negatively impact their livelihoods, an increase of 7% from 2023. In other words, more creators now believe AI-generated music could displace that of real, human creators.
Better understanding
At the same time, understanding of AI in music creation has risen sharply, with 70% saying they now have a clearer grasp of how it all works. That’s a lot more than in 2023, where only 51% has a good understanding. It shows that a greater understanding has only pushed concerns up.
Artists rights are key
A huge 93% of respondents believe that creators should be compensated if their music is used in AI-generated content. This isn’t something that has really changed with time though, only up from 1% in 2023. More than nine in ten want the power to decide whether their works can be used to train AI tools in the first place.
Plus, 92% say AI systems should be transparent about how music is generated.
Why this matters
Zoom out, and the problem becomes bigger. As PRS for Music points out, the UK’s creative industries contribute more than £120 billion a year to the UK economy. Music is a major part of that. If value starts being drawn away from human creators to unlicensed AI uses, the knock-on effects won’t be small.
Previous industry analysis from CISAC indicated that music creators could lose up to €4 billion annually by 2028, due to AI-generated music. So when creators say they’re worried, their concerns appear to be justified too.
As PRS Chief Strategy Officer John Mottram says:
“It is clear why creators are concerned. Tech firms train models on copyright works without permission or payment building commercial services designed to compete with or replace the human creators. Music creators are already using AI to find new ways to enhance their creativity, but it is up to policymakers to make sure that livelihoods are protected, not diminished to cater to big tech. We will continue to champion the value of songwriters’ and composers’ works and advocate for a future where innovation and artistry can thrive together.”
Signs of movement
There are early signs that parts of the industry are trying to meet these concerns halfway. Some AI music companies have started striking licensing agreements with major labels, signaling a shift towards a more ethical AI-music generation. For example, music generator Udio has signed licensing deals with Universal, Warner, and Merlin.
When it comes to transparency, the poll echoes the sentiment shared by Deezer. Deezer’s recent survey revealed that 80% of people believe that fully AI-generated music should be clearly labelled as such. Currently, Deezer remains the only streaming platform to do so. So, there are some signs of a shift.
Still, agreements with a handful of rightsholders don’t solve everything. Clearly, creators are still concerned and will be watching closely to see how AI continues to unfold within the music industry.