Lyor Cohen believes synthetic intelligence may very well be the inventive lifeline artists by no means knew they wanted—even because the music business sues AI firms for allegedly stealing copyrighted work.

The longtime music govt and present head of YouTube music and Google music shared his optimistic stance in a music-artists-lyor-cohen-guest-column/”>Billboard visitor column, arguing that AI received’t erase artistry however as a substitute elevate it.

“This thing isn’t here to replace artists. It’s here to help them soar to even higher levels of artistry,” Cohen wrote.

Cohen, who started his profession at Rush Management and Def Jam within the Nineteen Eighties, in contrast generative AI to earlier improvements like drum machines and samplers that after rattled the business however ultimately grew to become important to Hip-Hop.

“Think of gen AI as the ultimate creative partner,” he mentioned. “An artist can now create a dozen versions of a record, find the perfect hook, or get the lyrics just right, all while keeping their hands on the wheel of their creative work.”

He pointed to artists already embracing AI instruments. The Wu-Tang Clan utilized Google’s Veo to supply the video for “Mandingo,” whereas Teyana Taylor employed AI filmmaking software program for her quick movie, “Escape Room.”

But Cohen’s enthusiasm arrives as main document labels take a sharply completely different stance.

In 2024, Universal music Group, Sony music and Warner music Group filed lawsuits towards AI startups Suno and Udio, accusing them of coaching their fashions on copyrighted songs with out permission.

The fits, led by the Recording Industry Association of America, search as much as $150,000 per infringing work.

The labels declare these platforms copied a long time of music to generate new tracks that mimic protected recordings. Suno reportedly has over 10 million customers, and Udio’s AI-generated songs have gone viral on social media and streaming platforms.

Independent artists additionally joined the authorized combat, submitting class-action fits alleging that their work was used with out their consent. One grievance acknowledged that Suno and Udio “elected to simply steal the songs.”

Despite these authorized battles, Cohen insists authenticity stays irreplaceable.

“While new technology has always brought about disruption, fans have a knack for connecting with authenticity,” he wrote. “AI isn’t going to be a replacement for that — artists must continue to bring their true selves to their work, otherwise, fans will see right through it.”

Still, the rise of AI-generated music is plain.

According to Deezer, as of September 2025, 28% of all each day uploads to its platform had been absolutely AI-created. Yet these tracks account for simply 0.5% of streams, with most performs flagged as bots.

His message comes because the courts weigh the way forward for copyright legislation and the position AI will play in shaping the following era of music.

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