Artificial intelligence threatens to reshape creative industries

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) may pose a major threat to those working in creative fields, writes Madi Chantry. 

In 2025, UK Music reported that 66 per cent of creators believed AI would negatively impact their careers. Issues emerged over AI companies breaching musicians’ rights by operating unlicensed learning. 

Baroness Keeley, Chair of The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, said in a recent report: “The future for AI in the UK should be based on transparent and responsible use of training data.”

Transparent AI use 

The UK Government proposed to help creatives license their work and encourage greater transparency with AI. This includes labelling music as AI-generated, so that listeners are aware. 

A survey conducted by Deezer Newsroom and Ipsos in 2025 concluded that 97 per cent of respondents could not tell the difference between AI-generated music and human music. 

A year later, these issues are still on the rise. PRS for Music found that 79 per cent of music creators agree that AI-generated music might surpass human music. 

Deezer Newsroom confirmed that in 2026 their streaming platform receives around 75,000 AI-generated tracks per day.

Fortunately, Deezer’s platform uses a thorough process and labels the songs if they were made with AI so that listeners are able to distinguish between human songs and AI songs.

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Authenticity in creative output

However, AI lacks lived experience and cannot replicate the connection that is formed between listeners and musicians. 

Fans of singers and bands resonate with lyrics that have come from the heart, a feature that AI cannot recreate.

The UK Government determined that even after Covid-19, the creative industries remain an “engine for economic growth”. 

In 2024, the UK’s music industry contributed £8 billion to the economy in terms of Gross Value Added. 

This year, the UK Government awarded £1.4 million in funding to 68 UK independent musicians through the Music Export Growth Scheme. 

The money will elevate the profile of the UK’s diverse music industry worldwide and increase economic growth for the country. 

AI as assistant

Despite the rise of fully AI-generated songs, AI is mostly being used as an assistant to help young, independent artists with lower income who want to start a career in music. 

Younger musicians use integrated systems to assist in production and editing because they may need to deal with other commitments. 

Youth Music established that two thirds (63 per cent) of young creatives say that they are embracing the use of AI when they are starting the creative process. 

Youth Music also found that older generations are less likely to use AI, with 55 per cent at ages 25-34, all the way to 19 per cent at 55 and older. 

The appreciation of artistic values is still present in society because authenticity in music is louder than ever. 

Creatives produce and write music full of soul, one thing AI can never replace. It might assist in the editing process, but individuals continue to show their innovative minds. 

Whether it be with songwriting, painting, graphic design, or creative writing, there are still people out there who strive to be genuine and original.

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