Are music fans really ready for AI-generated tracks?
As major labels plan to collab with AI music generation companies, new Luminate data casts serious doubts on whether listeners actually want AI-generated music.
Back in October, Universal Music Group and Udio put their copyright lawsuit behind them and unveiled plans to work together on a new “music creation, consumption, and streaming experience”. Shortly after, Warner Music Group entered a similar deal with Udio too. It’s the industry’s way of embracing AI music on its own terms. That means ensuring all music is properly licensed, authorized for use, and compensated for.
With these experiences expected to launch in 2026, they still face one huge question: will listeners care enough to use them? That doesn’t even answer whether they’d be willing to pay for a subscription too.
A new Luminate Entertainment 365 survey suggests… maybe not.
Fans aren’t sold on AI-generated music
Luminate’s report found that only 24% of respondents (US) feel comfortable with AI creating an original song. Meanwhile, a hefty 45% say they’re uncomfortable with the idea, including nearly a third who feel very uncomfortable.
Another issue in the industry at the moment is a lack of transparency around AI music, with Deezer being the only platform to add an AI label to fully-generated tracks. Once listeners actually know a track is AI-generated, interest in listening to it drops too. 42% say they’d be less interested in listening if a song is labeled as AI-made. Only a quarter reported they’d be more interested.
What about different generations and their attitudes?
Taking a look at the data reveals some interesting trends across generations too. You might expect Gen Z to be the most open to AI music. Yet surprisingly, they’re not. Instead, Millennials appear the most comfortable with generative AI in music.
When it comes to AI-generated music:
- 13% of Millennials said they feel very comfortable with it.
- Gen Z came in lower at 9%, with Gen X at 10%, and Boomers at 8%.
When it comes to interest in listening to AI-generated music, there was a similar divide between generations:
- 32% of Gen Z and Gen X said they’d be much less interested in an AI-generated track.
- Meanwhile, 15% of Millennials said they’d be much more interested, higher than Gen Z (10%), Gen X (9%), and Boomers (7%).
What does this mean for the industry?
The current data shows a pretty clear picture: the average listener is turned off by AI-generated music and are actually more uncomfortable with it being used to create a new original song in the first place.
This could, of course, complicate the AI plans that the industry looks to have been building. While the industry’s hope is to create legally sound, artist-first AI tools that let fans generate music inspired by their favorite acts, perhaps there isn’t the demand.
Still, Luminate does offer a glimmer hope. In superfan-driven spaces like Weverse, passionate fans often drive interest. If AI creation tools are positioned as extensions of fandom rather than replacement for artists, these experiences could still be successful.