MEIEA Summit 2025

                  Justin Sinkovich, Moderator
9:00 - AI in Music Business Education: A Case Study
9:30 - The AI Rabbit Hole: Music Industry Implications and Teaching Strategies

AI in Music Business Education: A Case Study
  Monika Julien, Drexel University
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most relevant – and controversial – topics in the music industry today. As the technology becomes increasingly ubiquitous and unavoidable, many students have expressed hesitancy or resistance to embracing AI – particularly within creative fields like music – due to concerns about its potential to diminish the creative process, eliminate jobs, and disrupt established practices. That said, music industry educators are uniquely positioned to introduce students to AI in a way that familiarizes them with the technology in a practical way, addresses current trends, and prepares them for careers in the music business, while also teaching them how to use and approach AI meaningfully and responsibly.
This presentation discusses the integration of AI into a music business course at Drexel University to address AI’s growing presence in the industry. The curriculum was designed to create a space for open-minded exploration of AI’s role in the music industry while examining how the technology can serve as a tool to enhance both creativity and efficiency. The topic was addressed in three parts: 1.) a structured class discussion on students’ perspectives and concerns around AI’s role in the industry, 2.) a guest speaker session focused on the legal considerations of AI in music, and 3.) a group assignment that challenged students to apply ChatGPT to music business scenarios and analyze its effectiveness. By incorporating an accessible and familiar AI tool like ChatGPT, the course demonstrated how this technology can be applied meaningfully in practical music business situations. Students were also provided with foundational knowledge in prompt architecture and criteria to evaluate ChatGPT outputs for quality and accuracy, equipping them to critically assess AI applications.
This presentation will highlight how this curriculum was developed and key takeaways, including its role in shaping an AI policy for syllabi. It offers insight into ways that educators can introduce AI into their teaching and curriculum in a practical, mindful way that encourages students to explore their own perspectives and deepen their understanding of AI’s role in the music business.

The AI Rabbit Hole: Music Industry Implications and Teaching Strategies
  Jerry Brindisi, Columbia College Chicago
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for educators. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into music creation, marketing, live performance, fan engagement, and distribution, educators must grapple with the implications for teaching and learning. One of the key challenges is developing clear policies on the use of AI by students in the classroom and on assignments—often in the absence of clear institutional guidelines.
This paper will explore how AI is currently being applied across various sectors of the music industry, highlighting its potential to disrupt traditional business models. Specific areas of focus will include content creation, marketing, live performances, fan engagement, and music distribution. Ethical, economic, and copyright considerations surrounding AI in the music industry will also be addressed.
Additionally, the paper will review current AI policies in higher education institutions and offer recommendations for integrating AI into the classroom. Pedagogical approaches, teaching strategies, and assignment examples will be provided to help educators navigate the challenges and opportunities AI presents in music business education.