Multiple generations of music industry professionals gathered for the 10th edition of the Music Tech Summit hosted by the Association des professionnels de l’édition musicale (APEM), at Montréal’s Centre PHI on March 12, 2026. Artists, publishers, managers, and content creators mingled, united by a shared topic running through the discussions: the growing role of AI in making music.
The day opened with a presentation by legal expert Caroline Jonnaert on the legal issues surrounding AI and copyright. Two discussions then brought together artists, label executives, content creators, and cultural media to explore the impact of AI on music-making, followed by strategies for developing audiences in the digital age.
Over the course of the conversations, several participants pointed to grey areas in how the new technologies are regulated. “There’s still a lack of guidance and transparency, to ensure that the music being registered is human-made. And the fact that responsibility rests with individuals lets others off the hook,” said Odette Lindsay, Director of Copyright at Red Brick Songs.
Despite concerns, some also see it as a reminder of what distinguishes human creativity. “In the noise and the chaos, what stands out is what’s real. I believe artists will ultimately rise above it. AI will never be able to offer something real that audiences can connect with,” said Alexan Artun, President of the Rosemarie Records label.
Throughout the discussions, the Summit underscored the importance of creating spaces where everyone involved can collectively address these transformations. While AI is already re-shaping certain aspects of songwriting and composing, it’s also prompting the industry to clarify its legal, economic, and artistic frameworks, to ensure that technology remains a tool in the service of music.
This conversation is also continuing beyond the Summit. For example, SOCAN now leads an ongoing letter-writing campaign, calling on the Canadian government to protect artists from the unlicensed use of their music to train generative AI models. More than 8,600 signatures will be sent to political representatives to underscore the urgency of regulating these practices and strengthening protections for music creators. To add your voice to the initiative, click here.