Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT
Generative AI is fundamentally transforming the production, distribution, and monetization of music. New AI-powered tools open up opportunities for creative processes, more efficient workflows, and new business models, but at the same time raise questions about copyright, compensation, transparency, and cultural diversity.
The collaborative project “Perspective 2036 – The Future of the Music Industry” examines which technological, societal, and legal developments can be expected in the music industry over the next ten years. The goal is to establish a sound foundation for political and economic decisions regarding the use of generative AI.
Impact of Generative AI on the Music Industry
The project analyzes how generative AI could impact music production, music licensing, and music culture. In collaboration with stakeholders from the music industry, music practice, research, and the legal field, future scenarios for the year 2036 are being developed. To this end, social science-based scenario techniques, surveys, workshops, and technological analyses are being applied.
From Technology Assessment to Policy Recommendations
The scenarios developed describe which AI technologies might be available in the future, how they will be used in the music industry, and what implications this will have for creators, companies, technology providers, platforms, users, as well as for culture and society.
Based on this, a policy brief will be produced with concrete recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. The goal is to provide guidance for regulatory, licensing, and training processes and to promote the responsible use of generative AI in the music industry. The focus is particularly on transparency, fair compensation, and the preservation of cultural diversity in the digital music ecosystem.