The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in creative and business practices sometimes feels like something that happens to us, rather than something we actively shape. Yet the future role of AI in the music industry is not predetermined. It depends on how we understand the technology, critically engage with its opportunities and risks, and contribute to defining the frameworks in which it is used.

12:00 – 12:15 Introduction

Prof. Dr. Alexander Endreß (Program Director, Music Business B.A.)
David Stammer (Projectmanagement Digital Innovation)

‍Overview of two research projects about the impact of artificial intelligence on the music industry (POPLÄND + Fraunhofer). We outline why these topics matter and how we plan to approach them through research and collaboration.

12:15 – 13:00 Block 1: AI-Music – Technical and Creative Status Quo

What are the capabilities of AI tools for music production? We introduce a structure to make sense of the rapidly growing landscape of AI music tools and show how quickly these technologies are evolving. We examine tools for different use cases and target groups, including alternatives to mainstream platforms such as Suno as well as emerging approaches focused on fairer and more transparent training practices.

30 minutes presentation + 15 minutes Q&A

13:15 – 14:00 Block 2: Music rights and open questions

Based on an interview study with 25 music/copyright lawyers and ethics experts, we bring the most pressing legal and practical questions into an open and accessible discussion format:

Is there a copyright protection for AI-generated music?
What happens when parts (e.g. one guitar line) of otherwise human music production are AI-generated?
Do we need updates to existing copyright frameworks that better reflect today’s technical and creative realities?
How could AI-generated music be monetized, and which licensing models are technically possible?

30 minutes Presentation & Keynote Interview + 15 minutes Q&A

15:15 – 16:00 Block 3: User- and Artist Perception

The future relevance of AI music will not be determined by technology alone, but also by how listeners and artists perceive, accept, reject, and integrate it into their practices.

We briefly present findings of own studies as well as market research data:

How do consumers evaluate it? Are there biases? Which personal characteristics, music listening habits may play a role?
How do artists use AI in their creative practice, why do they use it or reject it, and in which concrete ways? How does this influence creative processes and perceptions of one’s own creativity?

We then open the discussion and, together with participants, explore what these developments could mean for the future of the music industry.

20 minutes presentation + 25 minutes discussion