We now live in a world where A.I is slowly dominating the music industry. What once felt futuristic has now become reality. From viral TikTok sounds to record labels experimenting with synthetic vocals, artificial intelligence is changing the way music is created, consumed and protected.
The question is no longer whether A.I belongs in music. The real question is whether the industry is prepared for the consequences that come with it.
Recently, British Artist Not3s found himself at the centre of an online debate after purchasing and releasing a viral A.I generated a track. The original song was reportedly created by TikTok user Amber, who used an A.I music software to turn text messages from her ex-boyfriend into a song. The track quickly gained traction online, with many listeners pointing out how closely it resembled the sound, flow and vocal style of Not3s himself.
What shocked many people was not the fact that the song was created by A.I. but the reaction from the public. Many TikTok users did not see a problem with Not3s promoting or releasing the track. In fact, many praised him for being smart and capitalising on a sound that already mirrored his identity as an artist.
That reaction says a lot about where music culture currently stands.
Platforms like TikTok have created an environment where virality often matters more than authenticity. Listeners are consuming sounds at such a fast pace that many no longer stop to question where the music came from, who created it or whether the voice behind the song is even real.
This is where the danger begins.
If A.I can successfully imitate artists, mimic emotions and generate chart-worthy songs within seconds. What does that mean for the future of musicians? Are we moving towards an industry where artists become replaceable? Could record labels begin exploiting A.I technology to recreate the voices and styles of their own talent without needing the artist present at all?
We may soon enter an era in which labels grow richer while music itself grows creatively poorer.
Artists like Jorja Smith have already become examples of how quickly this technology is evolving. In 2025, the track I Run by British dance act Haven went viral online due to its smooth, soulful vocals, which many listeners believed sounded identical to Jorja Smith. The song began gaining momentum across streaming platforms before being removed following copyright complaints from record industry bodies. Smith’s label later
suggested that the vocals may have been generated using A.I systems trained on her voice and musical style.
Even after the track was re-released with different vocals, the situation highlighted a growing concern within the music industry. If an artist’s voice can be digitally replicated, where does copyright law currently stand?
This is not just a music issue anymore. It is becoming a legal issue, an ethical issue and a cultural issue all at once.
Pop superstar Taylor Swift has already begun taking legal steps to protect herself from A.I misuse. The singer reportedly filed multiple trademark applications in the United States connected to her image and voice. This comes after several A.I generated controversies involving Swift, including fake political advertisements and explicit fake images circulating online.
Similarly, actor Matthew McConaughey has also explored trademark protections to prevent the unauthorised use of his likeness and voice through A.I systems.
Celebrities are now being forced to protect not only their music and performances but also their identities.
The rise of A.I music also raises another uncomfortable conversation. If anyone can create a hit song using software trained on existing artists, what happens to originality? What happens to struggling musicians spending years developing their craft while algorithms generate music in minutes?
Artists like Xania Monet and the growing rise of A.I Afrobeats inspired tracks show how quickly this technology is spreading across genres and audiences. The lines between human creativity and machine production are becoming increasingly blurred.
So, what should happen next?
The law urgently needs to catch up with technology.
Governments and legislators need to introduce clearer regulations surrounding A.I generated music. Companies developing music software should be held accountable for how their technology is trained and used. Artists should have stronger trademark and copyright protections over their voices, likenesses and creative identities.
There is also a strong argument that A.I generated tracks should be separated from traditional music charts entirely. If music is created primarily through algorithms trained on existing artists, should it really compete alongside human-made work?
The music industry is entering one of the most important turning points in modern entertainment history. A.I have the potential to support creativity, but without proper regulation, it could just as easily exploit it.
The industry must decide now whether music will remain an art form driven by human emotion and lived experiences or become another product manufactured by machines for viral consumption.
Because once authenticity disappears from music, getting it back may not be so easy.
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