The Evolution of the Music Industry in Light of Information and Communication Technologies

Abstract

This paper examines the transformative role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in shaping contemporary music industry structures, practices and economies. Drawing on a systematic literature review, the study maps how digital tools, from digital audio workstations, streaming platforms, recommendation algorithms to technologies such as AI and Virtual Reality, have changed the creative agency, altered revenue streams and reconfigured audience engagement. Findings indicate a double-sided transformation, as ICTs have made music production more participatory and lowered market entry barriers, enabling diverse voices, while concentrating attention and value through platform-mediated algorithms that favor scale and discoverability. Monetization has shifted from ownership to access, creating new micro-revenue models, also raising concerns about artist remuneration, copyright enforcement and market oversaturation. Using a dataset of 5300 scientific sources published between 2015 and 2025, the analysis conducted in the VOSviewer program shows the thematic architecture of the field and reveals how scholars, institutions, countries and conceptual domains interact. The results offer a structural overview and validate the relevance of this topic as a rapidly expanding research frontier. The paper reviews current trends in the literature and outlines future research agendas on AI authorship, immersive live experiences and data governance, aiming to guide academics, industry stakeholders, specialists in the field of Computer Sciences and policymakers navigating the digital music ecosystem. Finally, it discusses regulatory, ethical and business-model implications, emphasizing the need for policy interventions that balance innovation with fair compensation and cultural diversity.