Abu dhabi: Technology, creativity, and the artist-fan ecosystem are being reimagined for music production in the age of AI-this was the message that set apart conversations with artists and producers on the concluding day of the BRIDGE Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi on December 10.
According to Emirates News Agency, renowned songwriter-producer Julian Bunetta highlighted the pivotal role of fans in music marketing during a session at the summit. In a fireside conversation titled 'Building the Future of Artist Independence' with Tomas Mier from Rolling Stone, Bunetta discussed his direct-to-consumer platform, Notebook. Inspired by his experiences with artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Julia Michaels, Bunetta founded Notebook to provide a private space for artists to connect with superfans, own their creative journey, and build independent careers.
Bunetta, co-founding Notebook with singer Julia, emphasized the platform's role in creating a sustainable connection between artists and fans, allowing fans to participate in the creative process. By using a paywall system requiring phone number and credit card details, Notebook aims to eliminate internet trolls, fostering a safe environment for sensitive artists. Additionally, Notebook enables fan meetups with artists through QR codes and allows fans to influence song choices and provide real-time feedback.
Bunetta also mentioned efforts to address shrinking royalties and revenues from streaming services by untangling rights issues with rights holders, songwriters, and producers. Notebook's upcoming collaboration with a boy band led by Simon Cowell, to be featured on Netflix in a documentary style, was also unveiled, promising an exciting experience for fans.
In another session, award-winning comedian and cultural innovator King Willonius discussed the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on music. His session, titled 'This Is How I Reimagined Music with AI,' explored how AI enables artists to experiment and produce music without needing institutional approval. Willonius shared the journey from his viral hit 'BBL Drizzy,' the first AI sample song in music history, to a broader rethinking of how human experience and machine intelligence can work together.
Throughout his session, Willonius demonstrated how AI compresses production timelines, allowing instant changes to vocals, beats, and concepts. He showcased this by transforming the SpongeBob SquarePants theme into a soulful reinterpretation within an afternoon. To illustrate AI's role in the creative process, he engaged with the audience to create a song in real time, incorporating their suggestions on lyrics, musical arrangements, and genre choices.