How could the threat of generative AI affect Simon Franglen's professional work?
AI music generators may pose a long-term risk to human composers like Simon Franglen As a participant, Simon Franglen questioned how AI could replicate the emotional depth achieved by large groups of musicians during scoring sessions for projects like “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” The reports indicate that as generative tools take over entry-level work, newcomers risk losing a vital foothold in the industry, suggesting a long-term shift in the professional landscape for composers.
- Effect
- Mild negative
- How direct
- Stated in the reporting
- When
- Over the long term
- The story
- No new developments lately
How it reaches Simon Franglen
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During the WSA Film Music Days in Ghent, an industry panel addressed composers' concerns regarding AI music generators. Composer Simon Franglen discussed the difficulty of replicating human emotion using AI. The panel also highlighted that composers in the U.K. and U.S. face legal barriers to unionizing and collective bargaining. The European Composer and Songwriter Alliance was present, representing over 30,000 composers across 57 member organizations.
The full event1independent outlet -
Simon Franglen, who worked on “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” participated in the World Soundtrack Awards industry panel in Ghent. He questioned how AI could replicate the emotion that hundreds of musicians pour out in a precise second, linking the technology to the growing threat facing composers.
1 report connects these two. Brind only summarizes; follow a link to read the reporting itself.
- variety.com Friday
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- Simon Franglen discussed his work on “Avatar: Fire and Ash” at the panel in Ghent.variety.com
- The panel addressed the growing threat of generative AI to composers.variety.com
- Music factories and generative tools risk causing newcomers to lose a vital foothold in the industry.variety.com
Why it matters
For composers like Simon Franglen, the ability to secure work and maintain professional relevance is paramount. The reports frame the AI threat not just as a technological challenge, but as a risk to the foundational steps of a creative career, particularly for those starting out in the industry.
This concern is shared by the wider industry, with organizations like the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance pushing to shape the EU’s AI Act to ensure creators are fairly compensated and that platforms disclose the datasets they use.
What we don't know yet
- How quickly will generative AI tools begin to replace entry-level scoring work?
- What specific legal protections will the EU AI Act provide to composers regarding copyrighted music use?
What would change this answer
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- variety.comFriday
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