AI in the music industry: How artists can use AI in 2025
AI can transform music creation, production, and marketing. Here’s how to use it to stay ahead.
Click below to jump to the following:
- AI’s growing role in music
- How artists can use AI
- Ethical considerations and future prospects
- Why artists should embrace AI
- Take the first step
AI’s growing role in music
The music industry is no stranger to technological evolution, and artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest disruption. While often surrounded by legal and ethical controversies, AI offers immense potential to empower artists, streamline production processes, and enhance creativity. Much like the early skepticism surrounding music videos or sampling, AI is simply a tool that can amplify creativity.
From generating lyrics and melodies to producing entire tracks ready for Spotify and Apple Music, AI is reshaping music creation. While independent artists may feel uncertain, embracing AI could help bridge the gap between the budget, production, and data that major labels deploy with their own artists.
Musicians around the world are already experimenting with AI tools to hone their craft, maybe you should start too…
How artists can use AI
AI is already transforming the way music is created, marketed, and consumed. Here are some key areas where AI is making an impact:
Songwriting and composition
Struggling to find that creative spark to get your music writing flowing? AI-powered platforms can generate chord progressions, melodies, and even lyrics based on user prompts. Tools like ChatGPT allow artists to overcome writer’s block by generating fresh ideas. As these platforms evolve, they promise to make songwriting faster and more accessible.
Music production
AI tools are simplifying production tasks such as mixing, mastering, and generating samples. Popular software like Apple’s Logic Pro includes AI-driven features to streamline workflows, enabling artists to focus more on their creative vision.
Testing tracks
Artists often write songs before pitching them to other artists. With AI, artists can now alter their vocals to match the artist they’re pitching it to. This makes it more realistic and easier to see if it is worthwhile before pitching the song to another artist.
Some artists even use their own AI voice so that they can generate high-quality demos to determine a track’s potential. Playing around with arrangements, this saves time during pre-production.
Restoring vocals
AI can be used to recreate the voices from artists that have passed, coming with many ethical concerns.
More ethical use includes the restoration and enhancement of older recordings, as seen when Paul McCartney used AI to refine a John Lennon demo. Alternatively, AI has let The DOC create and perform music again after a tragic car accident permanently altered his voice.
Marketing and promotion
AI is revolutionising music marketing by automating tasks like scheduling posts, creating visual content, and analysing audience data. For instance, AI algorithms can identify optimal release strategies and help design campaigns tailored to specific audiences.
However, balancing AI-driven insights and imagery with genuine human connection remains crucial to cultivating a loyal fan base.
Breaking into new markets
AI can break down language barriers, translating tracks to help artists reach new audiences. For example, Universal Music translated Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” into Spanish using AI.
AI enables greater cross-pollination between global artists by synchronising latency during virtual jams, translating real-time collaborations, and even spurring on new hybrid genres.
These capabilities open doors to global collaboration and innovation for artists worldwide.
Inder Phull, CEO and co-founder of PIXELYNX
Ethical considerations and future prospects
While AI offers exciting possibilities, it’s essential to navigate its ethical and legal challenges. Ensuring respect for original creators and establishing fair revenue-sharing practices are crucial steps for a sustainable future. The rise of ethical AI music platforms promises to address these concerns by incorporating musicians into the training process while compensating them for their contributions.
Looking ahead, human collaborations with AI are expected to generate its own hybrid genre. AI software capable of performing tasks autonomously are also anticipated to grow.
Justin Belmont, CEO of Prose Media
Why artists should embrace AI
AI is not here to replace musicians and certainly won’t dampen human creativity. Instead, AI tools serve to enhance an artists’ craft. It can be easy to forget that the true genius will still always be the artist that is utilising the new technology, and not AI itself. By experimenting with AI artists can:
- Save time and money: Using AI to automate marketing, and streamline production helps them focus on creating music.
- Reach wider audiences: Translation and global collaboration allows artists to reach more diverse audiences.
- Explore new creative possibilities: AI vocal and production allows greater experimentation for artists.
Inder Phull, CEO and co-founder of PIXELYNX
Ultimately, the key to successfully integrating AI lies in maintaining a balance. While AI can optimise and innovate, the authentic connection between artists and fans remains irreplaceable.
Take the first step
Ready to explore AI in your music? Start small: try out an AI songwriting tool, or experiment with AI-driven production plugins. These steps could unlock new dimensions of your artistry while keeping you ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Critically, AI must be embraced thoughtfully and ethically. In doing so, you may just position yourself at the forefront of music’s next chapter.