Artificial intelligence is forcing the music industry into one of its most uncomfortable debates yet: Is AI music destroying the industry, or simply accelerating its evolution? As AI-generated tracks increasingly rival human-made music in quality and speed, this question is no longer theoretical. For artists, producers, and industry players—especially in smaller, developing markets—the implications are immediate and deeply personal.
This debate is unfolding at a time when the local music industry is already under severe strain. Artists struggle to earn a meaningful income from online sales and streaming. Physical CDs are no longer commercially viable, and revenue has shifted almost entirely to live performances and brand endorsements. For many musicians, gigs and sponsorships are not just supplementary income—they are the business. Against this backdrop, the arrival of AI music feels less like innovation and more like an existential threat.
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