Thanks for taking the time to write a thoughtful answer. Especially that historical perspective was interesting.
I just thought that AI music is going to be like the ways clothes are manufactured today. Sure, you could get your clothes from a big factory, and many people do. At the same time, there are still many people who make clothes by hand just for fun. There are also some who make clothes the old way and sell them to millionaires who can afford to appreciate that production method and the quality that comes with it.
My guess is, the same will happen to music industry. Most people who wear cheap t-shirts, will also listen to cheap AI pop. Some other people with the money to hire musicians will do so, just like they’ve done so far. At the same time, many people will also continue to enjoy playing instruments or knitting wool scarfs just because it’s fun.