Digital Technologies Are Transforming Musical Creativity in Russia

Trusting Both Creativity and Routine

Russian musicians are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence in their workflow. A new survey published by Yandex’s BandLink service shows that around 70 percent of artists use AI for various tasks, and 6 percent are ready to delegate the entire creative process to technology. AI tools help reduce routine work, optimize budgets, and serve as a full-scale support system for beginners.

Forty‑seven percent use AI to design cover art and visuals, while 26 percent rely on it to generate music and lyrics. More than 20 percent analyze their creative output using AI, and just as many use it to promote new releases. Over 40 percent of respondents say they use AI consistently rather than occasionally, meaning the technology is becoming a stable part of musical creativity—even in such a delicate field as songwriting and production.

A New Set of ‘Seven Notes’

Musicians admit that AI cannot fully replace a human author—at least not yet. Instead, it provides direction, tone, and structure. Sometimes creating a single poem requires dozens of AI‑generated drafts before the artist chooses the most fitting version. According to musicians, AI transforms the creative process but not its essence.

Artists have always drawn inspiration from trends, styles, and cultural influences. AI simply becomes another muse. For newcomers especially, the technology acts as a professional producer: planning budgets, suggesting promotional ideas, scheduling production processes, writing posts, analyzing audience response, and assisting with technical details.

“Voice‑processing tools now help not only singers who struggle with pitch, but also experienced performers. But we will never sound the way analog tape once sounded. None of us—none of the musicians—will ever record music on analog media again. Because nobody needs it anymore. If something cannot be stopped, it must be led—and done in the best possible way.”

Leonid Agutin

Honored Artist of Russia

This allows creators to focus fully on the artistic core. Russian musicians also benefit from domestic AI tools like Alisa AI and GigaChat, which understand the nuances of the Russian language and culture.

A Road Forward for Young Creators

Across the global industry, AI helps level the playing field. A talented individual with just a few devices can build a personal mini‑studio and introduce themselves to the world. For developers, this shift opens opportunities to build new creative tools tailored to specific genres or artists.

The merging of technological and musical creativity may generate entirely new formats. Today, AI is a defining trend in the global music scene. Top artists already use it in one form or another. Technology removes geographic barriers, just like music itself, creating a universal language of expression.

The Question of Authorship

The debate is no longer about whether AI should be used—it is already a global norm. The real issue concerns copyright and the labeling of AI‑generated tracks. This uncertainty is typical for a transition period.

Soon, each country will develop its own legal framework, influencing emerging global standards. AI‑generated songs have already topped global charts, such as Ghostwriter977’s ‘Heart on My Sleeve.’ Tools like Suno allow even complete beginners to create original tracks. Russia also launched its own music‑generating neural network last year.

AI in music has become a topic of international discussions involving globally recognized stars. Digitalization of production will only accelerate. AI expands the musician’s toolkit beyond natural voice and the traditional seven notes. The public sector must now focus on regulating AI in creativity to keep pace with technological growth and rising expectations.