What's happened
The Velvet Sundown, an AI-created band, released three albums in six weeks, raising concerns about authorship, copyright, and transparency in music. The project has gained popularity on streaming platforms, prompting calls for regulation amid industry worries about AI's role in creative fields.
What's behind the headline?
The Velvet Sundown exemplifies the rapid rise of AI in music, blurring lines between human creativity and machine-generated content. Its success highlights both the potential and risks of AI-driven art, including copyright infringement and transparency issues. Spotify's lack of explicit labeling raises industry concerns, as AI music could threaten traditional songwriters' income, potentially causing billions in lost revenue. Critics argue that AI often copies existing works without proper attribution, which could undermine intellectual property rights. The project also fuels debates about authenticity and the value of human artistry, with some viewing it as a provocative challenge to established norms. Regulatory frameworks are likely to tighten as AI's role in music expands, emphasizing the need for clear standards and ethical guidelines to protect creators and consumers alike.
What the papers say
The contrasting perspectives from Business Insider UK and South China Morning Post illustrate the complexity of AI in music. Business Insider emphasizes industry concerns about copyright and transparency, quoting Virginia Dignum on AI's reliance on copying existing works and the potential economic impact. The Post highlights the technological novelty and the artistic challenge posed by The Velvet Sundown, noting its success and the controversy it sparks. Both sources agree that AI's role in music is a significant development, but differ in their focus—one on regulatory and ethical issues, the other on artistic innovation and industry implications. This divergence underscores the ongoing debate about AI's place in creative industries and the need for balanced policies.
How we got here
The Velvet Sundown is a music project guided by artificial intelligence, combining rock, country, and folk elements. It emerged in June 2025, releasing three albums with 13 songs each, and quickly gained nearly 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The project aims to challenge notions of authorship and the future of music in the AI age, with its creators emphasizing the role of human creative direction despite AI's involvement.
Go deeper
Common question
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How is AI creating new music bands like The Velvet Sundown?
AI-generated bands like The Velvet Sundown are transforming the music scene by using artificial intelligence to compose music, create visuals, and even develop band branding. This raises questions about how AI is changing music creation, who owns the rights to AI-produced songs, and what this means for human musicians. Below, we explore the rise of AI in music and what the future might hold.
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How Is AI Changing Creative Industries Today?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming creative fields like music, art, and entertainment. From AI-generated bands to new copyright challenges, many questions arise about the future of human creativity and technological innovation. Below, we explore some of the most common questions about AI's role in creative industries and what it means for artists, fans, and industry insiders.
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