MUSIC
The AI music era is coming... maybe.
So you want a Bruno Mars-style ballad? Or a birthday song à la Madonna? Say less.
Technology has long been able to produce singles “in the style of” your favorite artist. But soon, an audio copycat may be legal.
AI music is expanding beyond novelty prompt songs and into full on licensing. This time, with major catalogs. For example, Warner Music just struck a deal with Suno – an AI music generator – that would allow anyone to use an artist’s audio-likeness, if that artist opts in.
The new rules:
Fans could remix their favorite songs, from changing lyrics to adding (more) cowbell.
Artists can choose whether to let amateurs use their music, voice, or likeness. The details of those permissions are TBD.
The industry is still deciding whether AI tracks can be shared on platforms like Spotify, or if they’ll remain inside the app that created them.
The fine print of fandom
Even if AI remixes are legal, there are plenty of questions around creativity and copyright.
Who gets paid for AI dupes? What if a soundalike is unethically leveraged for political or brand endorsements? Will artists that opt-out face cultural consequences?
And, perhaps the biggest question of all:
Does anyone want to listen to an AI Madonna song?
Until we have answers, this remix era will remain more demo than reality.
But can AI strike a pose? Vogue? - TL