Music executives Bernie Cho and Anand Roy discussed how artificial intelligence is changing the creation, marketing, and monetization of music on May 23, 2026 [1].
This shift matters because AI is not only accelerating the speed of production but is also forcing a re-evaluation of how the industry values human artistry and audience connection.
Speaking at the CNBC CONVERGE LIVE event in Singapore, Cho and Roy said that AI allows artists to move faster and opens new revenue streams [1]. The technology is fundamentally altering how music is valued and marketed to listeners, creating a new landscape for both independent creators and major labels.
Despite the efficiency of these tools, the executives said that human authenticity remains critical. As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, the importance of real audience connection and active artist participation increases to differentiate human work from machine-generated output [1].
Industry sentiment regarding the transparency of these tools is also shifting. Mikey Shulman, CEO of Suno, said that people are starting to be a little more comfortable being public and upfront about creating with AI.
While some reports suggest that licensing deals between platforms like Spotify and Universal may limit free access to AI-generated music by placing it behind paid paywalls, other industry perspectives highlight the broader monetization opportunities available to artists using the technology [1].
The integration of AI into the music ecosystem is prompting a shift in power dynamics, moving away from traditional gatekeeping toward a model where speed and technical agility play larger roles in commercial success [1].
“AI is changing how music is created, marketed, monetized, and valued”
The music industry is entering a transitional phase where the primary value proposition is shifting from the act of production to the authenticity of the creator. As AI lowers the barrier to entry for high-quality audio production, the 'human element' becomes a premium commodity, potentially creating a tiered market where AI-assisted music handles utility and background listening while human-centric art commands higher emotional and financial value.
