AI Music: ‘Theft machines’?

AI Music: ‘Theft machines’?

Author: Financial Times September 10, 2025 Duration: 31:11

AI models have learned to create their own music by harvesting millions of songs from the internet. But critics say they’re using musicians’ work without permission, and three major record labels are suing them for ‘copyright infringement on an almost unimaginable scale’. 


In the second episode of this two part series, the FT’s pop critic Ludovic Hunter-Tilney speaks to campaigners and lawyers about the legal battle over AI generators, and to artists about the growth of AI music on streaming platforms. How are AI generated songs racking up millions of listens? And should streaming platforms do anything to stop it? 


Free to read:

Will AI kill the pop star?

The Velvet Sundown’s shaggy retro rock has attracted 750,000 listeners – but is it all an AI hoax? 

A musical supergroup fights AI – with a silent protest album 

Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus warns of AI threat to musicians’ revenues


This series of Tech Tonic is presented by Ludovic Hunter-Tilney. The producers are Lulu Smyth and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Edwin Lane is the senior producer, Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Original Music by Metaphor Music. Fact checking by Miatta Mbriwa and Megan Hill. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s acting co-head of audio. 


Music used in this episode: 

‘Dust on the Wind’ - The Velvet Sundown

‘The’ – Is This What We Want by 1000+ artists 

‘Chasing Horizons’ - generated by Udio 

‘Euphoria in Motion’ - generated by Udio 

‘Drift Beyond the Flame’ – The Velvet Sundown 

‘The Thrill of Loneliness’ - Hana Stretton 


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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From the Financial Times, FT Tech Tonic steps beyond the breathless headlines and gadget launches to explore how technology is fundamentally reshaping our lives, economies, and social structures. This isn't just a series about the latest app; it's a deep, considered examination of the forces driving the digital age and their often unintended consequences. Each episode grapples with the complex interplay between innovation and its real-world impact, drawing on the FT's global reporting expertise to provide clarity and context. You'll hear conversations that dissect the power dynamics in Silicon Valley, investigate the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence, and explore how entrepreneurship is being redefined across different cultures. The podcast digs into the substance behind the hype, asking whether emerging technologies truly deliver on their promise to improve society or if they introduce new perils we are only beginning to understand. By weaving together threads from technology, business, and culture, the discussions offer a nuanced perspective that challenges simplistic narratives. Tune in for thoughtful analysis that connects the dots between boardroom strategies, algorithmic biases, and the everyday experiences that define our increasingly connected world.
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