The Future of the Music Industry, Are You Ready For It?
Last week in our digital audio class, we talked about how music is made and shared today. After reading the 2025 IFPI Global Music Report, I have some big ideas about where the music business is heading. The report shows the industry is growing right now, but I believe AI will almost completely replace it in the future.
The IFPI report says global recorded music revenues grew by 4.8% to $29.6 billion in 2024. That’s the tenth year of growth! Streaming makes up 69% of revenues, with subscription streaming at over 50%. Every region grew, especially places like Latin America (+22.5%), Sub-Saharan Africa (+22.5%), and the Middle East and North Africa (+22.8%). The report talks a lot about record labels helping artists succeed, using innovation like AI for things such as giving Randy Travis his voice back in new songs. They even have policy priorities to protect artists from unauthorized AI training.
But here’s what I think: AI is going to take over music creation almost entirely. Even today, I can no longer tell the difference between good AI-generated vocals and real human ones. In many situations, the AI music far surpasses the production quality of standard songs. It can hit voice pitches that are very rare or challenging for most vocalists. Humans get tired, have off days, or just can’t reach certain notes. AI never does.
Right now, labels are using AI as a tool, like in the report’s case studies with virtual Fortnite concerts or restoring old voices. But soon, real artists won’t be needed as much. AI can generate full songs quickly, in any style, for almost no cost. Fans will listen to AI music because it sounds amazing and is everywhere. Streaming services might fill up with AI tracks that are just as good or better than human ones.
The report worries about AI stealing from artists and wants laws for authorization and transparency. I get that, but technology moves fast. People will choose the best sounding music, and AI will win that battle.
In the end, the music industry as we know it with big stars, tours, and labels developing talent might change forever. Listeners will have endless perfect music, but we might lose the real human stories and emotions behind songs. It will be exciting for tech, but sad for traditional artists.