AI and the music industry

Why I’m Not Worried About AI Music (As a Small Artist)
As a small artist, the conversation around AI music has been interesting to watch. A lot of people are concerned that AI-generated music will flood the market, make it harder for independent artists to be heard, and ultimately devalue the work of human creators. While I understand these worries, I don’t share them. In fact, I think the rise of AI music isn’t the threat people think it is, and here’s why.
Algorithms Already Rule the Roost
For a long time, streaming service algorithms have favored a small circle of popular artists. Before AI music generators became a topic of discussion, it was already a struggle for independent artists to get promoted. I’ve discovered incredible new music on platforms like TikTok, only to find that Spotify’s algorithm would never have recommended them to me. The algorithms already don’t prioritize small creators, so AI music isn’t going to change that. No matter how much AI music saturates the internet, the same algorithms will continue to show us what they think we want to hear. A few artists will break through, but that’s been the case all along.
Quality Will Always Win
People will always seek out music they enjoy. If someone doesn’t like a song, they’ll skip it, whether it was made by a human or an AI. The same goes for movies. We’ve all started a movie and turned it off because it was bad—that problem already exists, and it’s not unique to AI. If AI music feels soulless or predictable, listeners will move on. I’ve listened to a lot of music on Suno AI, and I’ve found that it often has a “computerized” feel. The lyrics can be cheesy and predictable, with rhymes that feel forced. I believe most musicians and dedicated music fans can tell the difference between human-written and AI-written lyrics. Human emotion, creativity, and unique storytelling will always shine through.
Streaming Services Will Adapt
Streaming services are driven by listeners, and they will adapt to meet our needs. If AI music becomes a significant presence, they might create specific tags or categories for it, giving listeners the choice to opt in or out. This would allow people who are curious about AI to explore it without it clogging up the feeds of those who aren’t interested.
I also think streaming services will find new ways to engage listeners. For example, they could incorporate remixing tools, like the kind found in Suno AI. Imagine being able to remix a song from your favorite major-label artist. The artist would get paid, and it would create a new kind of buzz and engagement around their music. This could be a huge boost for artists at all levels, giving fans a fun, new way to interact with their work.
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
It’s important to be clear: I’m talking mostly about AI-assisted music, not music created solely by AI. While I don’t think music generated entirely by a computer will ever truly connect with people, using AI as a tool is a different story. It gives artists a more powerful set of tools and can help achieve a higher-quality sound.
I’ve experimented with the Suno AI cover song tool, and it’s incredible. I’ve recorded guitar, drums, and a lead guitar part, and it’s captured it almost perfectly, giving it a polished sound. You can change the sound with different prompts, but it’s amazing how it can replicate the original parts you recorded with a much better sound quality. AI, when used this way, can be a valuable assistant for musicians, helping us bring our creative visions to life more effectively.
In the end, I’m not worried about AI taking over music. I believe that people will always want to hear the work of real musicians, and the industry will adapt to ensure they can find it. AI is just another tool in the creative toolbox, and it’s up to us to decide how we use it.