AI in Music: The Threat to Composers and the Line We Can’t Afford to Cross
The Changing Landscape of Music
The music industry is changing faster than ever, and AI is at the heart of the disruption. While AI-generated music might seem like an exciting technological advancement, it raises serious concerns for composers. Unlike performers or recording artists, composers—especially those in film, television, and video games—face an existential threat as AI-generated scores become more and more commonplace. As a custom composer for film, television, and ads, I am honestly terrified of what AI is going to do to the industry.
The big question we need to ask is: Where is the line between AI as a tool and AI as a replacement? AI has the potential to assist composers, sure, but if left unchecked, it could make human composers obsolete. This is especially concerning in an industry already struggling with the effects of streaming services, namely Spotify, which have made it more difficult for composers to earn a living. Many in the industry are already whispering about a slow start to the year, potentially due to the increasing use of AI-generated music. If this is just the beginning, where will we be in two, five, or ten years? Of course it could just be a coincidence, but after being told “2025 will be the year of pushing AI” over and over again, it’s hard for me not to speculate.
How AI is Already Being Used in Trailers and Advertisements
In my own work as a composer for trailers and ads, I’m already expereincing and using AI as a tool. AI is often used to strip away music from vocal lines, allowing producers to reposition them over different arrangements. Without AI, obtaining these isolated elements would require access to the original studio sessions—something that can be difficult or expensive, especially for older songs.
However, while AI makes this process quicker and likely cost effective, it doesn’t necessarily make it better or easier for composers. And despite what some might think, AI does not seamlessly correct all issues. If the AI-split introduces unwanted artifacts or audio wobbles, I still have to manually go in and EQ them out—an extra chore rather than a true convenience. But overall, it’s a trade-off between convenience and quality, and i can understand it’s use as a tool for these types of deadlines and/or jobs, and think it’s been largely helpful for music houses.
AI’s Growing Role In Music
More concerning, AI-generated music tools like [those that shall not be named] are becoming more sophisticated, allowing businesses to create custom soundtracks at a fraction of the cost of actually hiring a human composer. These tools can generate royalty-free music in minutes, making them attractive to industries that prioritize speed and budget over originality and emotional depth.
In film, video games, advertising, and even social media content, AI music is being used to fill the gaps once occupied by freelance composers, like myself. Businesses are turning to AI because it offers a cheap and efficient alternative—but at what cost to the integrity of the music industry? Or even of the project?
Humans love art because there are souls behind it.
The Real Threat: AI vs. Human Composers
AI isn’t replacing all musicians, but composers are particularly vulnerable right now. Unlike performers, who bring a human presence to their art, composers work behind the scenes. This makes it easier for companies to swap them out for AI-generated soundscapes, which—while functional—often lack the nuance and storytelling depth that a human composer provides.
Freelance and work-for-hire composers are especially at risk. With AI tools offering fast, algorithmically-generated scores for pennies on the dollar, companies may opt for these cheaper alternatives rather than hiring a composer for original compositions. The result? A growing devaluation of human-made music and fewer opportunities for skilled composers to find work. This is a nightmare for those of us that have worked so hard to survive in this already insanely competitive industry.
So my question is this: are companies willing to strip away a person's livelihood just to reduce costs that have historically been part of the industry? Have these expenses truly been an issue, or are they simply an easy target for budget cuts?
Music budgets have always existed — albeit at times still devalued — and they ultimately benefit the entire creative ecosystem rather than consolidating wealth at the top. By choosing AI over human composers, companies are not just saving money—they're actively removing opportunities from talented creatives who are eager to work. This isn’t about asking for handouts; it’s about maintaining a fair industry where people have the ability to earn a living. Supporting human composers means supporting the economy, fostering creativity, and ensuring that art retains its authenticity.
Art has played a significant role in every era of human history, are we really going to be the one that finally destroys it?
The Ethical and Legal Concerns | The Difference Between AI and Human Inspiration
AI-generated music raises a fundamental question about inspiration vs. replication. When human composers create music, they draw small influences from other works but ultimately add their own fingerprint to the composition. AI, on the other hand, generates entire pieces based entirely on vast datasets of pre-existing music, essentially making songs that are 100% inspired by other musicians without adding a true original voice. This distinction is crucial because it challenges the idea of creativity itself—while human composers reinterpret and innovate, AI merely repackages and reconstructs what already exists.
One of the biggest issues with AI-generated music currently is the question of copyright and ownership. Who owns an AI-generated composition? Can AI truly create something “original,” or is it merely a remix of existing works? As AI systems are trained on vast datasets of human-made music, there’s a real risk that they’re unintentionally borrowing from copyrighted works without proper attribution. Will my fingerprint not be unique anymore?
This raises serious ethical concerns. If AI-generated music starts flooding the market without clear copyright regulations, composers may find themselves competing against their own styles…replicated and modified by AI without consent.
Should AI-Generated Music Be Labeled?
One potential safeguard (with many to go) is transparency. Should AI-generated music be labeled so audiences know what they’re listening to? I 100% believe it should. Listeners deserve the right to make an informed decision about whether they want to support human composers or AI-generated music.
Without clear labeling, AI-generated music could quietly take over streaming platforms, movie soundtracks, and video game scores, all without the audience realizing it. This not only misleads consumers but also makes it harder for human composers to compete.
There’s currently no widespread regulation requiring AI-generated music to be disclosed. If businesses continue to prioritize AI music without accountability, we could eventually see a marketplace where human composers are pushed to the fringes, unable to sustain their careers while companies hide that they want to pocket more money at the expense of art and supporting those that have always made their final product, quite literally, sing.
Personally, I don’t want to support AI music and won’t. As someone whose career has already been highly (and I mean HIGHLY) impacted by streaming services, I fear that AI could be the final push that makes composing, especially as a freelance composer, an unsustainable profession for many. Composing has been my career lifeline, despite the competitive and stressful nature of the industry. If we don’t take action now, we may soon find ourselves in a world where the emotional depth of human-composed music is drowned out by generic AI-generated soundscapes.
Where’s the Line?
Some may argue that AI can be a useful tool for composers under tight deadlines. But where do we draw the line? Using AI for (maybe) inspiration or assistance is one thing, but allowing it to replace composers altogether is another.
The real concern is that once businesses start relying on AI, they may never go back. It’s the pattern we’ve all experienced time and time again. If AI can generate an orchestral score in minutes, why would companies pay a composer to spend days or weeks crafting one? This slippery slope could lead to an industry where human creativity is seen as an unnecessary expense rather than an essential part of storytelling. And let’s be honest, music has continued to been looked at as something everyone deserves to have for free or cheap. Look at limewire, streaming services, music catalogue companies.
music is the backbone of so many creative endeavors, it can be truly life changing for listeners, yet there’s so many expectations for musicians to give it away for little to no cost. Budgets already aren’t allocated in favor of music and Touring is already heavily relied upon BY MUSICIANS (which is not sustainable for many of us) because making money off the music itself nowadays is rare…WHICH IS A WHOLE OTHER CAN OF WORMS for another day.
**if you’d like to hear about my journey as SINGER/SONGWRITER OF FALLING UP, you can join THE BASEMENT ON patreon to listen to THE ECHO OF THE NIGHT SERIES. It’s a great place to learn about the reality of touring and being signed to a label (especially when you sign contracts while young and eager to play music).
Why Human Composers Matter
Back to composing! Music is more than just background noise—it’s an essential part of storytelling. A human composer (funny that this is now going to be a term) brings emotion, intention, and artistic depth that AI simply can’t replicate. The subtle shifts in dynamics, the way a melody evolves to reflect a character’s journey, the imperfections that make music feel alive—these are things that an algorithm, no matter how advanced, cannot truly understand. Perhaps they can copy, but they cannot truly create.
If we let AI replace human composers, we risk losing something invaluable: the ability to connect with music on a deeply emotional level. Businesses need to recognize this before it’s too late.
Conclusion: AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement
AI can have its place in music, but it should remain a tool, not a substitute for human creativity. We need transparency, ethical considerations, and industry-wide discussions on how AI should be used in music before it’s too late. Most importantly, we need to ensure that human composers continue to have a place in the industry.
Composers have already weathered challenges from streaming services and shifting industry economics. AI could be the next major disruption—maybe the final one — but only if we allow it to be.
If you care about the future of music, support human composers, and human musicians — Push for AI labeling. Advocate for ethical AI use in music production.
alright. What do you think? Should AI-generated music be labeled? Do you believe AI can truly replace human composers, or is there still a place for the human touch in music? Will it be Enough for us to still have a career doing music? Should we support it as a tool in composing itself? Let’s keep this conversation going!
One realization I’ve had lately is that composers such as Philip Glass, John Williams, and Howard Shore hit the sweet spot on the timeline when it comes to composing. I can only imagine they’re looking at us composers now and what we’ve been up against, thinking the same thing.
Composers vs. Streaming Services
Speaking of, I’ll be discussing how music has been affected by streaming services as well, which may shine some light on why AI is such a huge concern for us independent composers and musicians right now. Check back soon. In the name of human composing, feel free to check out How Composers Shape Storytelling Through Sound.
Final Thoughts: The Illusion of Fair Compensation in the Age of AI
Many artists and composers are skeptical that there will ever be 'fair' compensation in relation to AI when our music has already struggled to be fairly valued and protected in the streaming era. If companies and platforms have consistently devalued human-made music—offering minuscule payouts for streams and licensing—why would we expect AI-driven music to be any different? The same industries that have resisted fair pay structures for artists are now embracing AI, not to enhance creativity, but to cut costs further. This isn’t about creating new opportunities; it’s about eliminating expenses, and those expenses are human jobs and honestly, passions.
ways you can support musicians
In the meantime, here are some ways you can show up for musicians (including myself!) right now:
- share music with friends and fam (or on tiktok/instagram)
- Follow on instagram or facebook (or other services included with bands you dig)
- save albums or add songs to playlists on spotify (and then stream it!) - here’s a link to a recent playlist called the waterfall house I made for you to enjoy!
- purchase a song or album on bandcamp
- join patreon!
- Sign up for newsletter
- keep reading more articles about music!
If you have a project and want to hire a real human, reach out here! I’d love to chat and create something rad together.
