The music industry faces a looming financial shake-up as artificial intelligence threatens to erode nearly a quarter of workers' income by 2028, according to a new global study. Released by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) in Paris, the report examines the rapid growth of generative AI and its economic impact on creative professionals.
The findings suggest that the generative AI market, currently valued at €3 billion, could balloon to €64 billion by 2028, with creators in both music and audiovisual industries bearing the brunt of this growth. Income in these sectors is expected to drop by more than 20% unless governments implement stronger protections for creators.
Australia and New Zealand Lead Policy Push
CISAC’s president, Björn Ulvaeus, known globally as a member of ABBA, highlighted Australia and New Zealand as pioneers in shaping AI policy to safeguard human creativity.
“In Australia, the new senate select committee on AI report is encouraging and promising,” Ulvaeus said, calling for legislation that balances innovation with creators' rights. “By setting a gold standard in AI policy, one that protects creators’ rights while fostering responsible and innovative technological development, Australia and New Zealand can ensure that AI serves as a tool to enhance human creativity rather than replace it. The world is watching, and the decisions made will resonate far beyond these shores.”
The Senate inquiry’s final report, released last week, included calls for standalone AI legislation and greater protections for creative workers, particularly those producing culturally significant content such as Indigenous works.
Creators Face a Twofold Threat
The CISAC study outlines dual challenges for creators under current regulations. Generative AI models often use copyrighted works without authorisation, diverting revenue from their original creators. Meanwhile, the rise of AI-generated content threatens job opportunities, as these outputs increasingly compete with human-made works.
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying, “Our industry thrives on human creativity. Our songwriters, composers and music publishers are the heart of what makes Australian and New Zealand cultural exports so distinctive," he said. “We must ensure strong protections for their work, especially Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, so that AI platforms respect protocols and enhances rather than exploits First Nations culture. The Australian and New Zealand governments need to take the lead and act decisively to protect the livelihoods of creators and the future of our creative industries.” he said. “We need robust protections, particularly for Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, to ensure AI respects protocols rather than exploiting them.”
The report predicts that by 2028, AI-generated music could account for 20% of traditional music streaming revenue and 60% of music library revenue. In monetary terms, AI developers in the music industry are expected to generate €4 billion in revenue, largely from the unlicensed use of creators’ works.
Policy Decisions Will Shape the Future
The report underscores the importance of legislative action, warning that poorly regulated AI could cause irreparable harm to human creators and their livelihoods.
“AI has the power to unlock new and exciting opportunities – but we have to accept that, if badly regulated, generative AI also has the power to cause great damage to human creators, to their careers and livelihoods,” Ulvaeus said. “t’s critical that we get these regulations right, protect creators’ rights and help develop an AI environment that safeguards human creativity and culture.”
As governments around the world debate AI regulations, creators are calling for decisive action to preserve the integrity of their industries. The choices made today, they argue, will determine whether AI becomes a tool for empowerment or a force for exploitation.
