Perspective 2036 - The Music Industry of the Future
30. July 2026
In a two-year research project entitled ‘Perspective 2036 – The Future of the Music Industry’, the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, is investigating how generative artificial intelligence could transform music production, distribution, rights clearance, licensing and exploitation by the year 2036. The aim is to develop possible visions of the future of the music industry and music culture, and to derive concrete recommendations and areas requiring action for policymakers. The goal is to establish, at an early stage, the conditions for the legally sound, fair and culturally responsible use of AI in the music industry. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space as part of the Insight II programme.
“Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly permeating our society. Particularly when it comes to digital innovations, the music industry is always one of the first creative sectors to be affected, sometimes in disruptive ways. We must therefore address the potential consequences of this societal permeation on our musical culture at an early stage,” says Prof. Dr Alexander Endreß, Music Business B.A. Degree Program Director Popakademie Baden-Württemberg.The project is led by the ‘Music and Creative Industries’ department at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg. The project partner is the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT. The Popakademie contributes its expertise at the intersection between the music industry, digitalization and industry practice. In particular, Popakademie examines the social, economic and legal impacts of generative AI on the music industry.With its technological expertise in the field of audio AI, Fraunhofer IDMT analyses the current state and development of generative music AI, assesses technical potential and risks, and thus provides the basis for realistic future scenarios.“Generative AI is not only transforming creative production processes but is also presenting the music industry with new technological and legal challenges. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to incorporate the perspectives of the people affected by these developments. We want to understand the expectations, opportunities and concerns they associate with technology, thereby creating a solid foundation for its responsible further development,” says Andrew McLeod, AI and music analysis expert at Fraunhofer IDMT.The project focuses on the question of how the use of new technologies in music production and distribution affects our music culture, and what policy responses are possible or necessary. The aim is to assess, on a scientifically sound basis, the future impact of generative AI on music creators, the music industry, and cultural and economic policy, and to derive viable courses of action from these findings. Possible future scenarios for music culture and the music industry up to the year 2036 will be modelled and discussed with stakeholders. The project results aim to help policymakers, the music industry and society to assess technological developments at an early stage and to develop strategies for a legally compliant, ethical and culturally responsible use of generative AI in the music sector – from production to exploitation. Among other things, the findings are intended to provide important impetus for clarifying and developing legal standards, licensing procedures, transparency requirements and compensation models.The project will be presented at the ‘INSIGHT Forum 2026 – Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Disruptive Innovations’ on 29 and 30 September 2026 in Berlin. Further information and registration at:
https://www.bmftr.bund.de/DE/Services/Anmeldungen/Insightforum2026/insightforum2026_node#