The Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA AMCOS) have unveiled a comprehensive report examining the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry across Australia and New Zealand. The report, conducted by Berlin-based research firm GoldMedia, offers an in-depth analysis of how musicians are utilizing AI in their creative processes and the growing concerns surrounding its future impact.
GoldMedia’s CEO, Dr. Klaus Goldhammer, emphasized the importance of this research, noting the increasing role of AI in the creative landscape. “This report marks the first significant exploration of the relationship between music and AI in Australia and New Zealand,” Dr. Goldhammer stated. “The substantial participation from creative professionals underscores the widespread concern about the challenges posed by AI. Australia and New Zealand are not merely adapting to AI-driven changes; they are at the forefront, establishing a benchmark for the global music industry.”
The study surveyed over 4,200 members of APRA AMCOS from both Australia and New Zealand, revealing significant insights into how AI is being incorporated into music creation. According to the findings, 38% of musicians admitted to using AI in the production of their work, while 54% believe that AI holds potential benefits for the creative process. However, the report also highlights the deep-seated concerns among musicians, with 82% expressing fears that the increasing reliance on AI could jeopardize their careers, making it challenging to sustain a livelihood through music.
In addition to these findings, an overwhelming 97% of respondents called for policymakers to take a more proactive stance in regulating AI’s influence on the music industry. Musicians are particularly concerned about the lack of consent and compensation when their work is used to train AI systems. A significant 95% of those surveyed agreed that copyright holders should be consulted before their work is utilized in AI development.
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, voiced his concerns about the rapid advancements in AI, describing it as a “fast-tracked industrial revolution.” Ormston underscored the urgent need for stricter regulations to govern the integration of AI in music. He noted, “Global forecasts predict that generative AI will generate vast wealth by 2030, yet no major Large Language Model (LLM) platform or generative AI service has sought consent or provided compensation for the data used to train these systems.”
Ormston further warned of the potential economic fallout if AI usage remains unregulated and unlicensed. “The unregulated and unlicensed use of AI in the music industry could have devastating economic consequences,” he cautioned. “We strongly urge the governments of Australia and New Zealand to adopt EU-style transparency guidelines. Without such measures, the future of our industry looks perilous.”
This report highlights the urgent need for a balanced approach to AI integration in the music industry—one that acknowledges the potential benefits of AI while safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of creative professionals. As AI continues to evolve and reshape industries worldwide, the insights from this report could serve as a crucial guide for policymakers, industry leaders, and musicians navigating this complex and rapidly changing landscape.
Australia and New Zealand, through this report, have set a precedent by not only addressing the immediate challenges posed by AI but also by leading a global conversation on the future of creativity in the age of artificial intelligence. The music industry, an essential cultural and economic sector, stands at a crossroads, and the decisions made today will shape its trajectory for years to come. The call for greater regulation and transparency is not just a regional concern but a global imperative, as the industry grapples with the profound implications of AI on creative expression and economic sustainability.
