Earlier this year, we commissioned the region’s largest survey about AI and music. The report explores the relationship between music and artificial intelligence, highlighting the economic and cultural implications within this rapidly evolving market.
An extraordinary 4274 APRA AMCOS songwriters, composer and music publisher members from across Australia and New Zealand responded. Thank you.
“The overwhelming majority of music authors and creators in Australia and New Zealand demand attention, consent, credit & transparency and remuneration when their work is used in the context of generative AI in music."
— AI and Music report
“By commissioning this report, APRA AMCOS aims to explore the relationship between music and artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the economic and cultural implications within this rapidly evolving market. Based on extensive expert interviews and a comprehensive survey, the report captures the perspectives of creative professionals across Australia and New Zealand. The high participation rate indicates the deep concern within the music industry regarding AI's impact.
“The survey reveals that many Australian and New Zealand songwriters, composers and music publishers are early adopters of AI technology. However, there is an almost universal and urgent call for government to do much more to protect the livelihoods of creators. Over the past two years, APRA AMCOS has voiced concerns about the lack of transparency in generative AI platforms. These platforms must acknowledge the creative content they scrape and copy, which is essential for generating AI outputs.
“Creators invest significant time and effort into their work, yet their intellectual property is exploited by AI platforms without credit, consent or compensation. This unauthorised use poses a serious threat to the economic and cultural landscape, potentially damaging careers and businesses, including those of First Nations creators. The issue lies not in the technology itself, but in the secretive corporate practices that erode trust within the global creative sector.
“For a generative AI market to be fair, equitable and sustainable, it must rest on a solid regulatory foundation that upholds the rights of human creators and protects their intellectual property. Transparency is crucial to this process.
“Australia and New Zealand have the chance to lead globally in ensuring the creative sector benefits from the projected wealth generation of generative AI. This report provides essential data and insights, underscoring the significant contributions of contemporary music locally and globally. It aims to support informed decision-making, helping to establish a robust policy and regulatory framework during a pivotal moment in technological and business evolution.”
In the largest study of its kind in the region, the results of our exhaustive report into AI in the music sector – AI and Music– reveal the technology’s potentially devastating impact on Australian and New Zealand music creators.
Conducted by Berlin-based consultation and research group, Goldmedia GmbH, the report is based on survey responses from over 4,200 APRA AMCOS members across Australia, New Zealand and overseas in May and June this year, including songwriters, composers and music publishers.
Economic projections were calculated about the potential impact on the industry, and a range of industry experts and academics interviewed including Associate Professor Oliver Bown (UNSW), Dr Sam Whiting (RMIT), Sophie Burbery (University of Auckland), Tracy Chan (Splash), Sally Coleman (Big Sand) and songwriter and producer, Tushar Apte.
Leading industry figures have also leant their voices to the report, including Bernard Fanning, Caitlin Yeo, Clare Bowditch, Jimmy Barnes, Julian Hamilton, Kate Miller-Heidke, Kingdon Chapple-Wilson, Missy Higgins, Peter Garrett, Michelle Levings aka GLVES, Nigel Westlake and Tina Arena.
WATCH: APRA AMCOS' AI & Music survey report findings
“Without robust laws to ensure copyright holders are adequately remunerated, licenses applied and transparency around the actual processes used when a creator’s work is exploited, then we‘re in deep trouble. ” - Peter Garrett, Singer/Songwriter
"The thought of big tech companies mining my music to train AI without my consent is horrifying. This is a massive breach of copyright and undermines my legal right to consent, attribution, and remuneration for the usage of my intellectual property.” - Caitlin Yeo, Musician and screen composer
"I don’t really see a downside to it; it was always going to be a natural progression from the way technology was moving. It’s really more up to how we can find ways for it to benefit us as opposed to fading into obscurity and avoiding an inevitable part of the future.” - Kingdon Chapple-Wilson (Kings), Singer/Songwriter and producer
"It would be easy for people who are looking for a quick and cost effective First Nations sound element to create an atmosphere to use AI. Using AI in that application would effectively take the soul/spirit/human/lived experience/ history out of the sounds, and then no one is entitled to rights and it's not attributed to a culture, but it still creates a musical product with a certain feel." - Michelle Levings aka GLVES, Singer/songwriter
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, via the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), responded regarding the risk of AI causing cultural appropriation and minimising the ability to safeguard the authenticity and use of their musical cultural heritage, instrumentation and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).
Survey respondents' outcomes:
Leah Flanagan, Director of NATSIMO, says: “The rise of AI technology poses significant threats to the cultural and economic wellbeing of all Indigenous communities. Due to the unique nature and cultural significance of ICIP, AI's effects on this vulnerable sector are profound."
In Aotearoa, a survey of Māori members, show a particular challenge to the protection of Māori cultural integrity.
Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe), APRA AMCOS, Manukura Puoro Māori says: "Unregulated AI technology is a particular threat to Māori music and the potential for AI to lead to cultural misappropriation is massive. Maintaining the cultural integrity of Māori musical traditions and taonga puoro is important to our Māori members.”
Just before publishing the report, we started briefing key ministerial offices and department officials on the findings in Canberra. We will also start doing that in New Zealand over the coming weeks.
Crucially, we need to ensure there is an urgency to finding a regulatory solution in both territories that can support the Australian and New Zealand music ecosystem.
We are committed to keeping members informed of the latest developments and advancements in this space. AI technology is fast-moving and the regulatory environment is fluid. Stay in touch with regular updates in the APRAP newsletter, website and across our socials.
Should I register my musical work any differently than usual if I have used generative AI?
For copyright to exist in a work, it needs to be an original work created by a human. If you have created an original work with the assistance of technology, including generative AI technology, our current advice is that you may still register the work as usual, listing yourself as the composer/lyricist of the work. Remember the composer/lyricist shares of the work should total 100%
What will APRA AMCOS do with its AI & Music report?
The findings will be briefed to governments of all levels, showcased to industry and stakeholders, and publicised to media and relevant parties.
We need to ensure there is an urgency to finding a regulatory solution in both territories that can support the Australian and New Zealand music ecosystem.
How was the potential revenue ‘damage’ calculated for the AI report?