A global study reveals that artificial intelligence could jeopardize the future of creators in the fields of music and audiovisual
A recent study, the first of its kind, highlights the imminent challenges faced by creators in the music and audiovisual industries. Commissioned by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (Cisac), this study emphasizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to a significant decline in revenues for artists, with loss estimates reaching 24% in the music sector and 21% in the audiovisual sector by 2028. Meanwhile, a massive growth in AI-generated content is anticipated, raising crucial questions about profit-sharing in these creative fields.
The alarming results of the study
This study, conducted by PMP Strategy, reveals concerning figures for the future of artists. Indeed, the revenues of music creators could fall by nearly 22 billion euros over five years, while those from audiovisual will not be spared. Streaming platforms and music libraries are expected to see about 20% and 60% of their respective revenues coming from AI-generated content. A paradigm shift that risks disadvantaging human creators in the face of the rising power of technology.
An exponential growth in AI-generated content
Forecasts indicate that by 2028, the market value of music and audiovisual content generated by AI could rise from 3 billion euros to 64 billion euros. This shift marks a major economic transition that, paradoxically, will not benefit artists. The study highlights the worrying phenomenon of the substitution effect, where AI-generated works replace those of human creators without financial compensation.
The translation and adaptation sector threatened
Creative professions are not the only ones facing a threat. Jobs related to dubbing and subtitling are likely to suffer a major impact with an estimated revenue loss of 56%. Screenwriters and directors, for their part, could see their commissions decrease by 15% to 20%, further exacerbating the downward spiral of creative professions in an AI-dominated context.
An economic value transfer to tech companies
As creators struggle to support their incomes, suppliers of AI systems are expected to reap significant profits from this evolution. Reports forecast annual revenues reaching 4 billion euros in music and 5 billion euros in audiovisual by 2028 for these companies. This situation is perceived as a transfer of economic value from artists to tech companies, emphasizing the growing imbalance in creative sectors.
A necessity for regulatory change
The findings of the study sound like a call to action. In the absence of an adequate regulatory framework, creators will find themselves not only without income for the unauthorized use of their works but also in direct competition with AI-generated products that capture their audience. Björn Ulvaeus, the singer of the group ABBA and president of Cisac, emphasizes the importance of this report as a guide for policymakers, in light of the upcoming discussions on legislation related to AI.
