At its 2026 Music Impact Summit in Macao, Tencent Music called for AI rules centered on authorization, transparency and fair compensation as the technology reshapes music creation, copyright and artist IP.
Quality Music Becomes More Valuable
TME Executive Chairman Cussion Kar Shun Pang said AI can generate huge volumes of content rapidly, making genuinely high-quality music increasingly scarce.
Pang argued that original creation and intellectual-property protection must remain central to the music business. TME’s wider strategy is to develop music IP that can generate value across streaming, live entertainment, fan communities and international markets.
During the summit, representatives from Universal Music China, Grand Vista Music Group, Linfair Records and TME agreed that AI should support creators—not become a shortcut for exploiting their work.
The speakers called for fairer pricing, payment and value-sharing systems capable of rewarding music with long-term cultural and commercial appeal.
Industry Calls for New AI Copyright Rules
Copyright emerged as one of the summit’s most urgent topics.
Industry representatives said AI policies must address training data, ownership of generated music and platform responsibility.
Their proposed framework centered on three principles:
- Authorization from rights holders
- Transparency about training data and generated content
- Compensation for the creators and owners whose work provides value
The goal is to move AI music away from uncontrolled generation and toward a licensed ecosystem in which technology companies, platforms and rights holders share responsibility.
Artist Identity Cannot Be Automated
Speakers also examined the qualities that allow an artist to develop lasting IP.
Music producers and artist-development executives highlighted musical identity, personal expression and cultural authenticity as assets that competitors and generative systems cannot easily reproduce.
Originality still matters, but artists also need the initiative to build a recognizable creative world around their music. Personal experience, local culture and a distinctive musical language can help an artist connect internationally without sacrificing authenticity.
That point cuts through a lot of AI hype: efficient production may create more content, but it does not automatically create artists that audiences care about.
Live Music and Super Fans Drive Growth
Live events become lasting IP through distinctive experiences, strong identity and continued fan engagement.
Fan platforms are becoming equally important. Representatives from DearU and Tencent Music described super fans as active participants in music distribution, community building, co-creation and monetization.
For platforms, the opportunity is to move fans from initial discovery to emotional investment, belonging and long-term participation. That requires consistent interaction and a genuine two-way relationship—not an endless stream of generic promotional posts.
Mandopop Targets International Audiences
The summit also considered how Chinese-language music can achieve wider global reach.
Chinese singer Zhou Shen and PMC Global executive Gurjeet Chima argued that the first objective should be getting the music heard, rather than repeatedly explaining why it is culturally different.
Mandopop’s global growth will depend on authentic artists, local identity and strong international distribution.
TME closed the summit by recognizing nearly 40 content, technology and entertainment partners, including Universal Music, Warner Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Apple Music, Believe, SM Entertainment and Huawei Mobile Services.
The FM PRO TECH Take
AI music’s future depends on licensed training, transparency, fair pay and irreplaceable artists; not more platform filler. For Mandopop, the opportunity is turning local talent into global IP.