{
  "id": 9770022,
  "title": "AI Creates Songs, But Only People Make Them Rock | Opinion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/ai-creates-songs-but-only-people-make-them-rock-opinion",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-25T12:27:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/ai-creates-songs-people-make-them-rock-12487420"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Music has always been intertwined with advancements in technology. What sets generative AI apart, however, is its ability to rapidly produce content that previously demanded substantial time, resources, and expertise. By June 2026, AI-sourced tracks constituted more than half of fresh uploads to Deezer in a single day, with an estimated 90,000 such tracks generated monthly. This statistic represents one streaming service rather than the entire music industry, yet it raises a more intriguing question than whether AI can craft a good song. If the creation of music becomes significantly more accessible, what elements become increasingly difficult to discern? For me, the answer lies in the human experience associated with music. I do not simply perceive music as a finished recording. I consider the musician who spent years refining their sound, the club that provided a platform for an unknown artist, the promoter who took a risk, and the audience that consistently returned. A song can exist independently of these aspects; however, a music scene cannot. Research supports this notion. A 2026 study highlighted by the National Library of Medicine found that the emotional connection people experience during live music events is linked to heightened meaning and satisfaction during the event, as well as lasting happiness thereafter. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also underscored the importance of social connection for individual and community well-being. This aligns with my observations regarding music. Artists do not emerge from perfect conditions. They perform in modest spaces, make errors, adapt their approach, collaborate with other musicians, and gradually uncover what resonates with them. I believe these experiences become intertwined with the music itself because they become inherent to the individuals creating it. This explains why younger listeners often discover artists whose most significant works were produced decades before their birth. They are not merely connected through a melody; they may also be uncovering the artists' personalities, life histories, struggles, and cultural contexts. This context becomes an integral part of what they appreciate. This could become even more significant as AI-generated music advances. A recent global survey of over 43,000 music enthusiasts across 26 countries conducted by IFPI revealed that 79 percent considered human creativity to be essential to music creation. This does not imply that listeners will reject AI. In fact, it suggests that knowing there is a human story behind music can still hold significance. I also do not view AI as a threat to musicians. When used appropriately, these tools can offer individuals novel avenues to experiment with melodies, arrangements, lyrics, and production. Someone lacking access to expensive equipment may explore an idea that would have remained confined within their thoughts. This is undoubtedly valuable. Nevertheless, I am concerned about the potential consequences if convenience becomes the primary metric for progress. If our focus predominantly revolves around streams, follower counts, and the volume of content produced, we risk overlooking the developmental stages where artists genuinely grow and where listeners transform from mere numbers on a dashboard into active participants. A small club or local music event may never match the scale of a digital platform. However, I advocate for the music industry to view such communities as deserving of deliberate preservation. Streaming platforms could enhance their efforts to connect listeners with nearby performances and emerging local artists. Labels, promoters, and sponsors could continue investing in smaller live opportunities where artists can evolve in front of audiences. Cities should also ponder the value local music spaces contribute when making decisions regarding planning, licensing, and neighborhood development. If we strike the right balance, AI need not diminish music; it could potentially broaden the realm of creators while emphasizing the importance of genuine human connection. While AI may eventually become remarkably proficient at composing songs, what I truly value in the music that resonates with me is not the sound itself. I seldom recall the melody. Instead, I remember where I was, who I was with, and the meaning that music acquired over time. This is the aspect I would vehemently oppose losing. Randy Dominguez is the Executive Producer of The Jersey Sound, which delves into music, live performances, and the role of community in shaping cultural experiences. The opinions expressed in this article are his own.",
  "summary": "Streaming platforms can do more to connect listeners with nearby performances and emerging local artists, writes Randy Dominguez.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}