This week, we’re exploring the role of the United States in the music industry, as well as its relationship with AI and TikTok. At the heart of several debates, let’s take a closer look at what’s happening!
#1. UMG Advocates Athical, Artist-Centric AI
At the AI for Good summit organized by the UN in Geneva, Universal Music Group’s Chief Digital Officer defended a vision of artificial intelligence rooted in respect for artists’ rights and copyright. According to him, AI should be a tool for experimentation that supports creators, not a technology that replaces them.
UMG has launched several ethical collaborations with companies like YouTube, KLAY Vision, and Apple Music, exploring the intersection of AI and music. In response to the rise of fully AI-generated projects, the executive emphasized that 70% of listeners still feel a stronger connection to human artists, their stories, and their individuality. He argued that real progress lies in a well-regulated AI that serves artistic creation and strengthens the bond between artists and their audiences.
#2. Netflix’s Virtual K-pop Groups Are Topping the Charts
The fictional groups Saja Boys and Huntr/x, created for Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, are making waves on Spotify and Apple Music. Your Idol by Saja Boys has hit No. 1 on Spotify in the US, surpassing even BTS, while Golden by Huntr/x has broken records previously held by Blackpink.
Together, the two virtual acts boast over 25 million monthly listeners. Their success highlights a growing trend in the K-pop industry: the rise of virtual artists, a space already explored by groups like MAVE and Naevis.
#3. A US-Only Version of TikTok Could Be on the Horizon
In response to mounting political pressure in the United States, ByteDance is developing a fully separate version of TikTok exclusively for the US market. Internally dubbed “M2,” this new TikTok US will run on a distinct algorithm trained solely on American user data and is expected to launch by September.
The split could have major implications for creators and music professionals. American users will primarily see locally produced content, limiting the visibility of international artists in the US market. Conversely, US-based artists may gain more domestic exposure, at the cost of reduced global reach. This separation will likely force labels, publishers, and marketing teams to rethink their international growth strategies.
#4. Canada Forces TikTok to Close Its Offices, but the App Remains Accessible
The Canadian government has ordered TikTok to cease its operations in the country due to national security concerns. The closure of the platform’s Canadian offices still being challenged in court, will result in the loss of hundreds of jobs and the end of TikTok’s support for major cultural events such as the Juno Awards, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and the National Screen Institute’s Indigenous Creators program.
Despite the shutdown, the app will remain available to users. TikTok has criticized the move as one with serious consequences for creators and already struggling cultural organizations. While the United States considers a full ban of the platform, Canada is opting for a strategic severing of institutional ties with the Chinese-owned app.
#5. Live Nation Tries to Ease Antitrust Pressure
As the U.S. Department of Justice ramps up its legal offensive against Live Nation for alleged anti-competitive practices, Ticketmaster’s parent company appears to be seeking redemption. According to Variety, the company has submitted a new proposal to the Trump administration, among its suggestions: strengthening the BOTS Act and giving artists greater control over secondary ticketing.
Between the public inquiry into ticketing practices, mounting lawsuits, and widespread consumer criticism, Live Nation has a lot at stake. In June, the company pledged a $1 billion investment to build new venues across the U.S., and it’s now multiplying efforts to influence upcoming regulations. Still, it remains uncertain whether these maneuvers will be enough to restore its image and ease the growing regulatory backlash.
