Scholars believe future of music is human

Artificial intelligence has rapidly woven itself into the fabric of the music industry as its presence is both pervasive and controversial — from Spotify's AI-driven recommendations to software that generates new compositions based on existing works.

Even long-silenced voices, like John Lennon's, have been digitally resurrected, sparking excitement and unease in equal measure. However, experts and academics reject the notion that AI will destroy the music.

Professor Ed Freeman, a business ethics expert who also composes and performs, argues that music-making is inseparable from human identity. "There is always room for great music, no matter where it comes from," he said.

His bandmate, Skyler Clark-Hamel, likens AI to earlier innovations such as the drum machine, which initially unsettled traditionalists but ultimately enriched musical possibilities. "It is difficult to find a top tour or album today where a drummer doesn't utilise samples, pads, triggers or loops of some kind," he noted.

When asked whether AI will create new opportunities, Freeman was cautiously optimistic, acknowledging that new skills will be required but insisting musicians must learn to make AI work for them.

Clark-Hamel, however, warned that AI could dismantle traditional training grounds for emerging artists. While it lowers barriers to entry, making creativity more accessible, the long-term balance of gains and losses remains uncertain.

Freeman founded Blues Jam, a rock and blues ensemble, more than two decades ago. Clark-Hamel, is a Darden doctoral candidate with a Berklee College of Music degree and years of professional experience in Nashville as a performer, agent and entrepreneur.

On the subject of live performance, both experts believe AI will only heighten demand for authentic human shows. Freeman predicts audiences will seek out genuine musical experiences if AI sounds fail to resonate.

Clark-Hamel envisions a flourishing live scene offering both raw, unfiltered performances and immersive AI-enhanced spectacles. "The only way to really experience 'the real' and know that it is real is to see it in person," he said.

Their shared conclusion is clear: AI will reshape the music industry, but it cannot replace the emotional, communal essence of human-made music. Instead, it may underline why live performance — flawed, spontaneous, and deeply human — remains irreplaceable.