Last year marked the first time an AI-generated song entered the Billboard charts. According to Billboard, the AI artist Breaking Rust debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart and topped the Country Digital Song Sales chart.
In June last year, Brazilian music artist Vinih Pray produced "A Million Colors" using the AI music platform Suno, and the track ranked No. 44 on TikTok’s Viral 50 chart.
The British electronic music group HAVEN also drew attention when its signature track "I Run" entered Spotify’s U.S. and Global Top 50 charts late last year. The song’s vocals were reportedly processed using an AI filter.
Among AI artists last year, Xania Monet stood out the most. Monet is an AI gospel singer created by Mississippi-based poet Talisha Jones. Monet’s song "How Was I Supposed to Know?" ranked on the Adult R&B Airplay chart, while "Let Go, Let God" entered the Hot Gospel Songs chart. In September last year, Monet made headlines by signing a recording contract worth 3 million dollars with Hallwood Media.
◇ In the era of AI music generation, where do creators stand?
Monet’s songs are also known to have been composed using the AI music application Suno. Since the release of Suno and Udio in late 2023, generative AI tools have rapidly become widespread. Suno, which currently leads the AI music market, has secured mass appeal by supporting more than 50 genres and enabling multilingual vocal generation. Udio, on the other hand, has earned recognition for its performance in complex sound design and experimental electronic music, making it a preferred choice among professional producers.
As AI-generated tracks climb major charts, the music industry is undergoing a period of upheaval. The emergence of music generation AI capable of producing high-quality audio through simple prompts has lowered the barriers to music production while simultaneously raising fundamental questions about copyright and the very existence of creators.
AI-driven composition has moved beyond curiosity and is accelerating commercialization, leading directly to official music releases. AI now handles not only composition but also vocal synthesis, audio stems, and mastering in a single process. In the second half of last year, French streaming platform Deezer reported that more than 30,000 AI-generated tracks are uploaded daily, accounting for approximately 28 percent of all new music releases.
◇ From copyright disputes to coexistence, Korea introduces an "AI non-use verification system"
The rapid growth of AI music has inevitably led to clashes with major record labels. Early conflicts centered on lawsuits over unauthorized data training, but recent trends point toward strategic partnerships. Universal Music Group has collaborated with Udio to launch a licensed AI subscription service that compensates rights holders. This reflects a shift within the music industry toward actively incorporating AI into revenue models.
However, optimism is tempered by concern. The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) has projected that by 2028, approximately 24 percent of creators’ income could be eroded by the expansion of AI-generated music. In Korea, caution toward AI music is also growing. The Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) is seeking legal safeguards to protect creators’ rights by introducing a verification process confirming that AI was not used in registered works. According to the association, under copyright law, "a copyrighted work is a creative expression of human thoughts or emotions," and therefore "AI-generated music lacks a legal basis for royalty payments."
While KOMCA has announced plans to implement a verification procedure requiring creators to disclose AI usage, the process itself faces practical limitations. Given the nature of music production, it remains difficult to verify whether creators conceal partial or full use of AI tools.
◇ Remix culture rises, artist-AI collaboration models gain traction
Music generation AI has sparked debate over the evolving boundaries of creation and distribution. Just as the spread of printing technology led to the establishment of copyright concepts, the rise of generative AI demands a redefinition of the relationship between creators and digital works. Facing a technological shift far beyond simple reproduction, legal and institutional frameworks require reinforcement.
A major concern lies in AI’s ability to imitate not only digital works but also artists’ voices. One overseas media outlet commented that "we now live in an era where we must question whether the music we hear contains an artist’s soul or is the product of meticulously engineered algorithms."
Despite such concerns, AI-driven remixing has emerged as one of the most popular trends in music technology. Hook Media has signed a licensing agreement with Downtown Music Holdings, allowing fans to remix and mash up tracks from its library for use on social media. Early last year, the AI remix application MashApp was launched on the Apple App Store with a similar concept.
Global music platforms and service companies are also focusing on remix features that audiences can actively engage with. In October last year, Spotify announced plans to collaborate with Sony, Universal, and Warner to develop AI music tools enabling fans to creatively interact with artists’ music.
As opportunities to leverage AI expand, "AI directing" is increasingly viewed as a core competency for future artists. Industry observers predict that a hybrid creative model, in which AI produces an initial draft and artists infuse emotional depth, will become the standard.
While music generation AI has democratized creation by enabling anyone to become a composer, it also raises profound questions about the essence of art. Alongside institutional reform prompted by technological innovation, the music industry faces a pivotal moment requiring a new framework for the relationship between artists and digital works.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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