More creators now worried about AI music competing with human created music
Two years on, concern levels have only risen around AI
Four in five (79 percent) music creators agree that they are worried about AI-generated music competing with human-created music (+5 percentage points compared to 2023 levels), according to a new PRS for Music survey.
Greater understanding is leading to greater concern. More than 70 percent of creators now understand how AI music creation works, an increase of 19 percentage points since 2023.
Around three quarters (76 percent) agree that AI has the potential to negatively affect their livelihoods, a 7 percent rise since 2023, with the vast majority arguing that AI tools should be transparent around how they generate AI music (92 percent).
The creative industries contribute over £120 billion to the UK economy each year. PRS for Music urges policymakers to prioritise a sustainable regulatory framework for AI, safeguarding IP so that creators can earn a living from their work and reinvest in future
creative endeavours.
John Mottram, Chief Strategy Officer at PRS for Music said: “It is clear why creators are concerned. Tech firms train models on copyright works without permission or payment building commercial services designed to compete with or replace the human creators.
“Music creators are already using AI to find new ways to enhance their creativity, but it is up to policymakers to make sure that livelihoods are protected, not diminished to cater to big tech.
“We will continue to champion the value of songwriters’ and composers’ works and advocate for a future where innovation and artistry can thrive together.”
About PRS for Music
Here for music since 1914, PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 180,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers. Redefining the global standard for music royalties, PRS for Music ensures songwriters and composers are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public.
For more than 110 years it has grown and protected the rights of the music creator community, paying out royalties with more accuracy, transparency and speed. In 2024, PRS for Music paid out £1.02 billion in royalties and collected a record £1.15 billion in revenues.
