Global Governance of AI Songwriting

Over the last few decades, artificial intelligence has begun to profoundly reshape our musical experiences (Miranda, 2021; Behr, Negus and Street 2018). Technologies designed to assist musicians in creating songs have proliferated, while streaming services have transformed our listening habits through their use of algorithms (Hamilton, 2019). While AI has been used within music-making since the 1960s, we still lack an adequate understanding of its social and cultural impact. This is particularly the case when it comes to the governance structures involved in AI song production, from frameworks for regulating data to copyright issues. These are crucial questions given the size and influence of the global music industry, which generated US$26.2 billion in 2022. Below, we zoom in on a number of explanatory examples and pinpoint a need for more robust governance mechanisms to face challenges accompanying AI-assisted songwriting.