Harvey Mason Jr., Grammy CEO on AI and the Future of Music

Brown & Black

What does responsible AI use look like in the music world?

This week, we sit down with Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the man at the helm of one of music's most revered institutions, to discuss AI’s current and future impact on the music industry - especially for creators of color - and how the Recording Academy is confronting this challenge head-on. Harvey reveals what’s at stake: artist rights, the moral challenges AI presents, and how the Grammys are preparing for the inevitable surge of AI-generated music.

If you're in the music industry, a fan of pop culture, or following the AI disruption drama, this eye-opening conversation will make you rethink the future of music and creativity in the digital age.

Episode Summary:

0:00 - The growing impact of AI on the music industry explained

1:40 - Exploring whether AI is a creative tool or disruptor in music

3:30 - Discussing AI’s role in the process of music creation

6:20 - The ethical use of AI is needed to protect human creativity

9:15 - How AI increases corporate profits but can harm artists

12:00 - Examining AI’s potential benefits for music industry revenue

14:45 - Questioning whether AI will ever have its own Grammy category

17:30 - The Grammys’ stance: no awards for AI-generated music

20:40 - Expanding access to music education for creators of color

24:15 - The Grammys use AI detection to protect artist rights

26:50 - Redefining what defines talent in an AI-driven music world

30:10 - Balancing AI innovation with human connection in music

32:45 - A preview of the 2025 Grammy nominations: diversity and creativity

Sources:

Recording Academy: https://www.recordingacademy.com/press-room/executives

Will. I. Am. FYI app: https://will.i.am/

Harvey Mason Jr. Quotes:

"The AI songs right now are generating a hundred songs per second. ... No one can tell me that AI is going to make Songs in the Key of Life or Nevermind, or Illmatic."

"But as it relates to the academy right now, we don’t reward or award AI in our process. So if you're AI vocal, you're not eligible for performance."

"AI is happening. There's no going back. ... Let’s make sure that it's done responsibly, ethically, maybe even morally."

"If you're Bad Bunny ... but if you're the purist who wants to have complete control over their voice ... then they should be able to do that as well."

"I do believe in the power of human creativity...but without some real advocating and without legislation... we would have the danger in my mind that we could slip into a place where we’re just listening to generated AI music."

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