Technology has already removed any practical need for the layers of intermediaries absorbing the bulk of the income generated. The inertia of outdated IP law and predatory contracts are what stands between artists and audience now. When the incremental cost of production and distribution of a song to a fan is close to zero, there’s no need for the thousands of people that stand between creative artists and their audience diverting income and decreasing efficiency.

The unknown is what role future technology enabled changes will play. Does AI render all this meaningless? Or, does it help sweep away the gatekeepers, intermediaries and opportunists allowing artists to benefit directly from their creative work?

Time will tell what path society will choose.