Great tech innovation tends to change everything all at once, and AI's relentless march is now forcing the creative landscape of electronic music into a direct confrontation with its algorithmic future.
The scale of this shift is no longer theoretical, according to the IMS Business Report 2025, which found a staggering 60 million people globally engaged with AI-powered music creation tools in 2024. The report, unveiled at the International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza and authored by MIDiA Research's Mark Mulligan, paints a picture of a sector grappling with technology that is rapidly moving from the fringes to the mainstream.
A participatory revolution: Perhaps more fundamentally transformative than the sheer number of users is the finding that 10% of all music consumers reported using generative AI to write lyrics or produce tracks last year. As outlets like We Rave You noted, this signals a significant blurring of the lines between passive listener and active creator, democratizing music production to anyone with a smartphone and curiosity.
Beyond novelty: While initial hype around AI tools may eventually cool, Mulligan suggests AI is poised to fundamentally reshape the music business infrastructure, as reported by multiple sources including Beatportal. The IMS report anticipates AI integration across the board, from automating A&R processes and helping define label sounds through consistent mixing and mastering, to improving royalty identification and distribution, and enhancing music discovery algorithms. For producers, AI could become a co-pilot, assisting with technical weaknesses or generating unique sounds beyond existing sample libraries.
The authenticity question: However, the report also flags significant concerns about the creative implications. Mulligan warns of a potential deluge of "best fit" music – tracks engineered primarily for algorithmic playlists ("relaxing study," "intense workout") rather than artistic expression. This wave of functional, AI-assisted content could, he suggests, provoke a backlash from discerning music fans seeking authenticity, potentially driving them towards alternative platforms or scenes.