Artificial intelligence has long been a part of music-making: It inspires, accelerates production processes and opens up low-threshold access to content creation. At the same time, however, it also raises key questions about authorship, fairness and responsibility. What is legally permitted? What is artistically meaningful? And what does a future look like where creatives and technology are generating output together or side by side?
SUISA panel at the 2026 M4music music festival
The SUISA panel “AI in music creation – between law, creativity and future prospects” at this year’s M4music Festival in Zurich is dedicated to precisely these questions.
The panel will take place on Friday, 20 March 2026, 3.15pm to 4.45pm at Moods.
International AI expert Kerstin Bäcker will provide an initial overview with an introduction: What current legal proceedings and court decisions are shaping the way we deal with AI? Where are international agreements emerging – and where does the legal situation remain unresolved?
This will be followed by an interdisciplinary round table discussion, moderated by Marielène Froidevaux, on legal reality, technological innovation and artistic practice.
Participants in the discussion are:
- Noah Martin, AI expert at SUISA
- Kerstin Bäcker, international AI expert
- Katja Christ, National Councillor
- Tim Wettstein, composer
- Imanol Schlág, researcher at ETH Zurich and co-lead of the technical development of Apertus, the Swiss open source AI model
The objective is a realistic snapshot: What does AI mean in practice for music creators, rightsholders, politicians and AI developers today? Where are new opportunities emerging – and where do we need clear rules of the game, transparent data practices and fair remuneration models?
A panel for all those who not only want to observe the future of creativity but also help shape it.
The full programme of the 2026 M4music music festival is available at www.m4music.ch
