In a recent study by the streaming platform Deezer and market research company Ipsos, 97% of respondents could not tell the difference between music tracks made entirely by artificial intelligence and those made by humans. At first glance, it might seem that listeners are welcoming AI-generated music with open arms and ears. But the truth is muddier. The same Deezer study found that 52% of respondents were uncomfortable about not being able to tell the difference between human and AI music.
Technology
AI has helped break news ecosystem, but could also fix it – says agency boss
For the last decade, Leidig has been building NewsX, a Community Interest Company. “In the agency world, if you do the editorial work and someone uses it, you get paid. It’s that simple. Social media platforms broke that when they started monetising what they don’t produce.” NewsX is designed to reconnect that chain by documenting editorial labour, validating it, tracking and charging for usage.
Source: AI has helped break news ecosystem, but could also fix it – says agency boss
WMG CEO vows to ‘legislate, litigate, license’ in the era of AI music creation
In a blog post published late Wednesday (November 19), Kyncl outlined WMG’s approach to generative AI partnerships, emphasizing that the major label will only work with companies that commit to licensed models, properly value music economically, and give artists control over the use of their name, image, likeness, and voice. The timing of Kyncl’s message is particularly significant.
Record Financial Pushes Real-Time Royalties on Avalanche to Modernize Music Payments
For most artists, getting paid is still stuck in the dial-up era. A song might blow up overnight, but the royalty check might not land for months. Money bounces through labels, publishers, distributors, and collecting societies, creating a maze of delays and obscure accounting. Record Financial wants to flip that model. Its platform pulls in royalty data as it’s generated, normalizes it, and distributes payouts instantly via stablecoins like USDC using Avalanche.
Source: Record Financial Pushes Real-Time Royalties on Avalanche to Modernize Music Payments – Decrypt
EU eases AI, privacy rules as critics warn of caving to Big Tech
The EU on Wednesday unveiled new proposals to simplify AI and privacy regulations, drawing fire from the tech sector for not going far enough and consumer groups for bowing to Big Tech. The EU Commission’s “Digital Omnibus”, which faces debate and votes from European countries, proposed to delay stricter rules on use of AI in “high-risk” areas until late 2027, ease rules around cookies and enable more use of data.Source: EU eases AI, privacy rules as critics warn of caving to Big Tech
WMG strikes deal with Stability AI to ‘build the next generation of responsible AI tools
Warner Music Group and Stability AI have entered into a new partnership, which the companies say will “advance the use of responsible AI in music creation”. The partnership, according to today’s (November 19) announcement, combines “WMG’s long-standing advocacy for principled innovation with Stability AI’s expertise and leadership in commercially-safe generative audio”.
Europe Begins Rethinking Its Crackdown on Big Tech
In a significant shift, policymakers in Brussels are moving to scale back and simplify landmark rules for artificial intelligence and data privacy. Driven by growing concern that overregulation is stifling economic growth, officials and business leaders across the 27-nation bloc are questioning whether Europe’s digital rulebook has gone too far and left companies lagging the United States and China.
Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine Ink Deals for AI-Generated Versions of Their Voices With ElevenLabs
Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine have teamed with AI audio company ElevenLabs to produce virtual replications of their famous voices. McConaughey also is investing an undisclosed sum in New York-based ElevenLabs. He’s collaborated with the company since it was founded in 2022. Now McConaughey is using ElevenLabs’ technology to bring a Spanish-language audio version of his newsletter “Lyrics of Livin’” in his own voice.
Tilly Norwood Creator on Hollywood Backlash, Creating Jobs and Full AI Movies
Eline Van der Velden, the creator of AI actress Tilly Norwood, says the character is a work of art that sparked a conversation. “I didn’t think it was controversial,” she says. The performers’ union, SAG-AFTRA, disagreed, denouncing her for “devaluing human artistry” and threatening actors’ jobs. Van der Velden countered that no one’s job was impacted and that Tilly Norwood required a lot of human artistry, just of a different kind.
Epidemic Sound unveils AI ‘Studio’ tool to generate video soundtracks
The Stockholm-based music licensing platform on Tuesday (November 11) said Studio analyzes uploaded videos and generates a synchronized soundtrack using music from its catalog along with ambient sounds and foley effects. The tool draws on data from more than 3 billion daily plays across online platforms to match audio to video content, Epidemic Sound said, while ensuring that Studio delivers “a cohesive, legally safe soundtrack seamlessly synced to the visuals.”
Source: Epidemic Sound unveils AI ‘Studio’ tool to generate video soundtracks