Survey Reveals Strong Preference for Human-Made Entertainment
A new iHeartMedia study, AudioCon 3.0: The Human Consumer, shows that the majority of Americans prefer entertainment created by real people rather than artificial intelligence. Conducted by Critical Mass Media in August 2025, the survey gathered responses from more than 2,000 U.S. adults. Results show that 90 percent of participants believe it is important to know that the media they consume was created by a human. The findings were presented during iHeart’s 2025 AudioCon event.
The study also reported that 82 percent of respondents expressed concern about AI’s broader impact on society, and about 75 percent said they do not want artificial intelligence involved in their media or entertainment. These figures indicate a significant level of hesitation toward AI-generated creative work across multiple formats, including music, film, and digital content.
What Listeners Want from Music
In the music sector, the survey’s data aligns with current patterns seen across streaming and social platforms. As AI-generated songs continue to appear on major streaming services, listener awareness and discussion about the origins of music have increased. The findings suggest that transparency around how tracks are created whether by humans, AI, or a combination of both—has become increasingly relevant to audiences.
The results also come at a time when several music companies are exploring the use of AI tools for composition and production. Platforms such as Spotify and Deezer have begun testing systems that can identify or categorize AI-generated tracks, reflecting an industry-wide effort to manage the growing volume of synthetic content.
The Industry’s Next Steps
For music labels, publishers, and streaming platforms, the survey underscores the importance of tracking how audiences respond to machine-assisted content. Some companies are implementing labeling initiatives to help users differentiate between AI-created and human-made works. Others are developing policies on how AI-generated material is distributed or monetized.
The data from iHeartMedia’s study may also influence future regulatory discussions around creative ownership and copyright. As AI technology continues to advance, understanding public sentiment toward its role in entertainment could inform policy decisions and shape how rights holders approach new music models.
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Finding Balance Between Technology and Trust
Although AI continues to expand its presence in the creative process, the survey results show that many consumers still prefer media with human involvement. The balance between efficiency, innovation, and authenticity remains a central topic within the industry. These statistics suggest that while audiences may accept AI as part of the creative workflow, they still distinguish between fully machine-generated and human-made entertainment.
The AudioCon 3.0 findings contribute to a growing body of data tracking how audiences perceive AI in culture and media. As technology progresses, industry leaders and creators are likely to use insights like these to evaluate how best to integrate new tools while aligning with audience expectations.
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