Platformed! How Streaming, Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence are Shaping Music Cultures (Tiziano Bonini and Paolo Magaudda)

In the music industry, researchers have been developing an approach to music as an informational phenomenon for decades. Interest in music as information becomes especially noticeable with the development of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence algorithms are used to determine musical preferences, provide personal recommendations on streaming services, and compose music. Artificial intelligence is predicted to have a strong impact on the music content creation process. Modern music software tools are showing impressive results. However, musical systems based on artificial intelligence lack human intelligence, i.e., the ability to understand the meaning of musical works. Focus on software and insufficient attention to human intelligence indicate that the problem of creating musical artificial intelligence remains extremely underestimated and is one of the urgent problems of modern information technologies. Objective of the research: theoretical substantiation and development of a convergent approach to the creation of musical systems based on artificial intelligence. Methods: information and semantic method for the study of cultural exchanges in the musical environment by A.B. Kayak; theoretical analysis of the probabilistic approach to the problem of meaning by V.V. Nalimov; method of probabilistic evaluation of meanings by S.G. Fadushin. Results: the analytical framework is provided for a convergent approach to the creation of musical systems based on artificial intelligence. The obtained results will allow to create information and control systems based on artificial intelligence in the musical environment. The information provided in the article may be of theoretical and practical interest for researchers and developers of artificial intelligence in the field of the music industry. The results may also be used by teachers, students, graduate students, researchers studying the philosophy and sociology of musical culture.

Background. The 2025 Polish viral song “Tak kocha się tylko w filmach – Ejaje 1981” was wholly generated by artificial intelligence (AI) to emulate a fictional 1981 pop-disco hit, got a few million views in streaming media in May/June 2025 making it an ideal case for studying AI’s impact on music creativity and reception. Method. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we conducted (i) a musicological analysis of Ejaje 1981, (ii) legal and phonographic market perspective (iii) a sociological analysis of ~1200 social-media comments and sharing patterns across platforms. (iv) foresight, is this viral event an outlier or indicative of a larger shift in music culture? Results. The AI track blends disco-pop and retro timbres convincingly, yet copies protected lyrics and creates melody. Virality was driven by TikTok remix culture, cross- generational nostalgia, and a “false-memory” effect wherein older listeners believed they had heard the song decades earlier. Discussion. Findings align with prior AI-music precedents (i.e. Suno-GEMA dis- pute) indicating that generative AI is reshaping perceptions of authenticity, authorship, and market entry barriers. Hit single cessation was previously associated with a “divine spark”, now it was engineered. We show specificity of the Polish phonographic market and local tastes as an example of probably the first fully AI-generated single hit here. Conclusions. Ejaje 1981 exemplifies a broader cultural shift: AI now influences how music is created, circulated, and remembered.

This study examines the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in changing approaches to musical art and cultural phenomena in general. The process of using AI to create new musical works is investigated, raising questions regarding uniqueness, authorship, and ethical implications. It has been found that deep learning algorithms and generative adversarial networks (GANs) are capable of automating the processes of composition, harmonization, and arrangement; however, this creates challenges in defining authorship and authenticity of musical works. The ethical challenges associated with the use of AI are analyzed, particularly concerning its impact on preserving individual style and originality. The research explores how AI can transform artistic creativity, allowing artists to focus on generating new ideas while routine operations are handled by modern technological models. The boundaries of transforming cultural ideas through AI have been expanded by shifting the emphasis from human uniqueness to collaboration with technology, which may lead to the blurring of styles and a rethinking of originality. The investigation also "unveils" new spaces for musical creativity and interpretation of musical works. It has been demonstrated that AI can contribute to both the preservation of cultural heritage and the creation of new interpretations of musical genres. Potential threats have been assessed, including the risk of losing human creativity and the standardization of art. Certain comprehensive approach to analyzing the impact of AI on contemporary musical culture and the transformation of cultural ideas has been proposed, highlighting issues of copyright and authenticity of works created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Perspectives for further research into the influence of AI on contemporary musical culture have been identified, as well as the development of new models that ensure a higher level of originality in musical works and other artistic products. It is important for scholars to address the development of international standards that consider the interaction between humans and AI in the creation of artistic products, as well as to define responsibility for potential copyright infringements.

This investigation meticulously explores the applications of generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems, predicated on machine learning paradigms, within the domain of musical culture. The capabilities of these systems are critically analyzed in relation to the professional cultural and artistic practices of composers, directors, producers, and performers. The foundational conditions requisite for the evolution of artificial intelligence in the context of musical culture have been delineated. The study endeavors to provide a comprehensive cultural assessment regarding the prospective impact of machine learning-driven generative AI systems on the aesthetic dimensions of Ukrainian musical culture. It delves into the operational principles governing contemporary systems for the generation of musical content through machine learning methodologies. Furthermore, the research examines the preconditions that facilitated the emergence and establishment of generative AI systems, as exemplified by musical compositions authored by Ukrainian creators utilizing automated computational frameworks. This inquiry underscores the intricate relationship between the progression of generative AI systems and the cultivation of favorable conditions for the professional endeavors of artists. An extensive analysis of both domestic and international academic literature in the field of artificial intelligence has been undertaken. Essential definitions pertaining to artificial intelligence, deep neural networks, machine learning, tokens, databases, rational agents, and digital audio recordings are elucidated within a cultural framework. Additionally, a succinct overview of big data theory is presented as a cultural prerequisite for the emergence and evolution of generative AI systems in contemporary musical culture. The potential hazards associated with the unchecked self-learning mechanisms of AI systems along with their prospective deleterious effects on musical culture are accentuated. This study posits the hypothesis that a causal nexus exists between the functioning of AI systems and the dissemination of misinformation. It highlights the imperative for further cultural inquiries into the application of machine learning methodologies within generative AI systems for the fabrication of musical content.

In the zeitgeist of the 21st century, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a focal point of discussions across various domains, from its applications in everyday life to its implications in creative fields. Music culture and the music industry have not remained untouched. This empirical study examines the portrayal of AI in German music-focused print magazines between 2016 and 2022, a period marked by significant advancements in AI, including its foray into artistic creation. Through a quantitative content analysis of 10,344 articles from prominent music publications, a mere 0.67% were found to engage with the topic of AI. The data reveals a noticeable uptick in such articles from 2019 onward. This study elucidates the multifaceted perceptions and evaluations of AI with the help of framing theory and the technology acceptance model. The findings indicate a predominantly neutral stance, with variations across different magazines. Most magazines treat AI as a noteworthy topic, but not a central one. Thus, only a few articles address technology acceptance or relevant factors pertaining to it. Based on these findings, this article examines the implications for musicians and experts in the music media sector, along with future research approaches.

The Magic of Media and Culture

In this paper, the forward neural network multi-feature fusion algorithm is used to extract the emotional features of music culture on artificial intelligence technology, considering the diversity and intermittency of the emotional features of the study, which needs to be parameterized. In the forward neural network architecture, the activation value obtained by using the nonlinear activation function is used, and the results obtained are passed to the next layer of data to realize layer-by-layer forward computation, which leads to the back-propagation activation function. The music culture emotion classification model is constructed based on the propagation mode of the forward neural network to determine the emotion recognition process. The research object is selected, the research process is determined, and in order to ensure the true validity of the research, it is necessary to test the reliability and validity of the research design scheme and to develop an empirical analysis of the comparison between popular music and traditional music culture. The results show that on the model, especially in the recognition of sacred, sad, passionate emotion type of music classification accuracy reached more than 88.2%. This paper’s model can improve the classification accuracy of music emotion to a certain extent. In the ontological knowledge analysis of popular music and traditional music culture, all three editions of textbooks show that general knowledge of music is predominant and has a large proportion, appreciation knowledge and extended knowledge are also considerable, and music knowledge is the least and has a small proportion. This study demonstrates the synergistic development of traditional culture and modern popular music, which is of great significance to the development of music education in colleges and universities.

This article examines the cultural, aesthetic, and social dimensions of the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into the contemporary Ukrainian musical landscape. The study analyzes theoretical and methodological approaches to interpreting the interaction between human and algorithmic creativity and explores empirical cases that contribute to the emergence of new models of music production and reception. Particular attention is paid to the dynamics of generative technologies and their influence on Ukraine’s musical culture. The research identifies key areas of AI application, including pedagogical practices, analytical tools, industrial services, and independent AI-based music projects. It is argued that artificial intelligence functions not only as a technological innovation but also as a cultural agent capable of reshaping concepts of creativity, authorship, stylistic originality, and aesthetic value. The analysis draws on contemporary Ukrainian cases, such as the activities of the Harmix startup, the circulation of AI-generated music on streaming platforms, and experimental practices of independent artists. The study reveals an asymmetrical integration of AI across different musical domains, characterized by its active adoption within the music industry and its limited presence in academic music. The cultural consequences of these processes are examined, including the transformation of musicians’ professional identity, the emergence of hybrid “human–algorithm” co-creation models, shifts in listening practices toward personalized algorithmic scenarios, and the growing role of automated recommendation systems in shaping musical tastes. It is shown that the development of artificial intelligence raises issues of ethics, copyright, transparency of training data, and cultural responsibility in the digital environment. Ukrainian and international studies of generative music are analyzed, demonstrating the potential of neural networks to model complex compositional structures. The possibilities for their further application in national education, creative practice, and cultural policy are outlined.

The 21st century has become an era of rapid implementation of digital technologies in all areas of human activity. Musical art occupies a special place in this process: the computer is no longer merely a tool for fixing musical notation but is increasingly becoming a full-fledged participant in the artistic process. Composers employ it for sound processing, the creation of various electronic parts, the generation of graphic scores, multimedia installations, and even works that do not presuppose traditional notation. In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has played an active role in this process.For the musical culture of Kazakhstan, this trend is particularly significant and relevant. It finds a distinctive manifestation here, since experimentation with new technologies is combined with a profound reliance on national traditions. The use of the computer in tandem with the kobyz or dombra, the fusion of folk melodic material with electronic timbres, as well as the engagement with philosophical and poetic texts, allow the Kazakhstani experience to be viewed as a unique synthesis of tradition and innovation.This study aims to provide a panoramic overview of contemporary trends, the impact of digitalization and AI on the creative process, andthe use of technologies in compositional practice both internationally and in Kazakhstan. It also seeks to identify the main directions of creative experiments and to highlight their artistic and aesthetic significance. The concepts of composer-programmerand composer-mediator are introduced, reflecting new dimensions of compositional thinking.The methodology is directed toward constructing a comprehensive picture of the digitalization processes in musical composition, identifying both global and specifically Kazakhstani features, and conceptualizing the artistic significance of the interaction between tradition and innovation in 21st-century music. The research applies an interdisciplinary approach that combines musicological, cultural, and art historicalanalysis, drawing on historical-analytical, source-critical, and comparative-typological methods

This paper utilizes deep learning algorithms to informally integrate modern vocal music teaching with traditional music culture and extracts audio time-domain features and frequency-domain features through neural network self-learning. Secondly, a large number of music tracks are decomposed into music patterns, which constitute a music pattern library, and a music training model is generated through the automatic music audio synthesis algorithm based on a recurrent neural network, and the GRU model is used for music training and model prediction. The strategy of integrating artificial intelligence and modern vocal music teaching mode through traditional music culture in modern vocal music teaching is informatized, and a controlled experiment is carried out with H Music Academy as an example. The results show that the average degree of completion of the learning objectives of the students in the two experimental classes is 89.32 and 87.16, respectively, which is 14.15 and 11.99 higher than the average degree of completion of the control class. This study demonstrates that the teaching mode of traditional music culture integration in modern vocal music teaching can enhance the student’s ability of vocal music skills and practically improve the students’ artistic literacy, which can improve the degree of completion of the student’s learning objectives and in turn, improve the overall level of vocal music teaching.

Quantum computing and artificial intelligence, two prominent topics in science and technology, are rapidly advancing and extending their influence into numerous fields, including music. Quantum computer music, which merges the strengths of quantum computing and deep learning, heralds a new era in the integration of music creation with cutting-edge technology. The interactive quantum music composition “Spinnings—Q1 Synth Trio”, created by Brazilian composer Miranda during the QuTune project at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR), in collaboration with the University of Oxford, stands as a notable example of quantum computer music. This study adopts a case study approach to thoroughly investigate the technical creative process behind this work, covering elements such as quantum computing, quantum properties, qubits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits, gradually unveiling the mathematical logic behind quantum algorithmic composition. The results of this study indicate that quantum algorithmic composition, as an emerging approach to music creation, not only generates unique music through the characteristics of quantum computing but also offers new possibilities for the integration of music, art, and technology. By applying quantum bits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits, this research demonstrates how quantum computing can provide new theoretical foundations and practical methods for music composition. Furthermore, the study discusses how to optimize the interactive creative experience in quantum music works and how to enhance the understanding and appreciation of quantum music among a broader audience of musicians and listeners. With the continuous advancement of quantum computing technology, quantum music is poised to contribute a distinctive dimension to the global flourishing of musical culture. This research offers fresh perspectives and ideas for the development of this field.

Platformed! How Streaming, Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence are Shaping Music Cultures

Under the influence of the development of electronic information technology and artificial intelligence, the development of contemporary popular music is one of the key topics of research, and the role of audience groups in determining the direction of the development of popular music has become more and more obvious. However, there is still a research gap on the differences between Chinese and Western popular music creation methods, popular aesthetics, and the differences in the degree of influence and participation of audience groups in popular music. Therefore, by analyzing the development of Chinese and Western popular music culture, the characteristics of creation and the influence of audience groups on popular music, this paper finds that in the context of the Internet traffic era, there are obvious differences between the aesthetics and creation of Chinese and Western popular music, and that both Chinese and Western audience groups are highly involved in the development and dissemination of popular music and have a positive effect. In addition, the mature popular music industry in the West has, to a certain extent, provided a reference for the future development of the popular music industry in China.

This article discusses the strategy and effect of the integration of national music elements in vocal teaching in universities under the background of AI (Artificial intelligence). By introducing specific vocal teaching cases in universities, this article analyzes in detail the ways and effects of the integration of national music elements. The results show that the integration of national music elements not only enriches the content of vocal teaching, improves students' interest and participation in learning, but also effectively promotes students' cognition and understanding of national culture. Students' feedback is generally positive, and they think this teaching method is helpful to improve their vocal music level and cultural literacy. Based on this, this article draws the conclusion that national music elements have important application value in vocal teaching in universities. It can not only enrich teaching contents and methods, improve teaching effect, but also effectively inherit and develop national music culture. It is suggested that the future vocal teaching should pay more attention to the integration and application of national music elements, and actively explore the combination with new technologies to promote the innovative development of vocal teaching and national music culture.

ABSTRACTIn 1814, E. T. A. Hoffmann published his short story, Die Automate. The story concerns the dealings of two friends and a fortune-telling automaton, the Turk, whose prophetic utterances seem to reveal a supernatural and psychic ability. Although the story first appeared in the Allegemeine musikalische Zeitung, it has been mostly overlooked by music scholars. In addition to the lengthy passages dealing with artificial intelligence, the story includes an extensive discussion of music performance and music instruments. The instruments they discuss – machines capable of bringing forth the voice of nature – perhaps appear as fantastical creations of Hoffmann’s imagination. However, he refers to real instruments that played an established role in late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century musical culture. This period saw the frenzied production of many novel and bizarre instruments such as the euphon, aiuton, aenomochord, xänorphica and the harmonichord. Though these instruments are all but forgotten today, they testify to a widespread preoccupation with timbre and instrumental sonority. The consolidation of the orchestra as a concept, musical body and institution in the eighteenth century went hand in hand with the notion that individual instrumental sonorities had distinct expressive characters. By the early nineteenth century, this idea manifested itself in two distinct traditions: an orchestral one, in which composers increasingly took advantage of the ever-growing palette of instruments, giving rise to the modern concept of orchestration and the romantic symphony, and an instrument-oriented one, in which musicians, scientists and inventors attempted to capture ‘ideal sonorities’ (usually timbres resembling the human voice) in specially designed instruments. These creations offer a missing link between idealist aesthetics of the period and musical practice. Though ultimately ephemeral, they represent a kind of ‘absolute’ music that was founded purely in ethereal sonorities rather than in musical formalism.