What We Learned From Our Industry Survey With Cyanite and MediaTracks
In a year defined by fast-moving conversations around AI and artistry, one thing is becoming clear: people still care about where their music comes from.
Marmoset recently partnered with Cyanite and MediaTracks on a survey to better understand how music supervisors, filmmakers, editors, and advertisers are navigating an industry where AI-generated music is increasingly present, but not always clearly labeled.
The goal was simple – listen. What do creative professionals actually want? What do they need? And how can we work together to protect the value of human creativity in the process?
More than 140 professionals weighed in. Their answers tell a story that cuts through the hype and points toward a shared priority: transparency.
Nearly Half of the Industry Won’t Use AI-Generated Music
Out of all the findings, one number stood out:
49% of respondents said they will only work with human-made music.
Despite the proliferation of AI tools, there remains an unshakeable preference for music made by people, music shaped by lived experiences and emotional resonance. For many professionals, choosing human-made music is a matter of creative integrity, client expectations, and protecting the livelihoods of real artists.
As one respondent put it:
“Music is personal and human. I like knowing who made it, what influenced them.”
(Curious about the other 51%? 20% said they were open to AI-generated music with transparency, and 17% said their answer would be project-dependant. 14% had other responses.)
The Transparency Imperative: 97% Want To Know How a Song Was Made
While nearly half of the industry is committed to using human-only music, almost everyone agrees on one thing:
97% of respondents want clear labeling on whether a song is AI-generated or human-made.
That’s nearly unanimous, and it signals a turning point. Transparency is no longer a “nice to have”; it’s the baseline. Creatives want to make informed choices. Legal teams are watching attribution more closely than ever. And professionals across the board echoed the same concern: without transparency, trust breaks down.
It’s not enough to know what a song sounds like. They want to know where it came from, who made it, and whether the creator was supported and credited fairly. In the words of one respondent:
“I’m concerned that if it were AI-generated, where did the AI take the themes or phrases from? Possible copyright infringement issues.”
The message is clear – origin matters.
Context Matters Too: Over Half Want More Background Metadata
Alongside transparency was another consistent theme – context.
52% of respondents want more contextual metadata, with details like artist background, cultural roots, and creative inspiration.
It’s not just trivia. Professionals use this information to:
- Align music to story and emotional arcs
- Ensure cultural authenticity
- Support diverse creators
- Explain choices to clients
- Avoid legal and representation pitfalls
This confirms something we’ve long believed at Marmoset. The story behind the song isn’t extra, it’s essential. Context brings integrity and intention into the creative process.
Why This Work Matters to Us
At Marmoset, we exclusively represent real, human artists, and we always have. Not out of fear of new technology, but out of commitment to community, creativity, and the belief that music is one of the most human things we make.
Our CEO and Founder, Ryan Wines, put it best:
“There’s an intangible x-factor that can only be found within human creativity – not to mention an entire ecosystem of hard-working artists making meaningful contributions to our communities and culture. While there may be a place for AI-generated music, it’s critical to have transparency and a clear understanding of a song’s origin.”
This study reinforces why we’ve taken a firm stance. Ethics, transparency, and artist advocacy are foundational. They guide how we build our catalog, how we support artists, and how we show up in the industry.
Where We Go From Here
These findings point toward a future where transparency and context are the standard. A future where artist identity and cultural background are meaningful, and human-made music holds value, not despite AI, but because of what only humans can create.
At Marmoset, we’re committed to building that future, alongside the artists, clients, and partners who believe authenticity matters.
Because at the end of the day, music is connection.