The primary value of AI music generators is the entertainment of creation and style transfer, not passive listening. This positions them as competitors to creative software like GarageBand or games like Fortnite, rather than to streaming platforms like Spotify.
When a non-tech firm like Oreo's parent invests a disproportionately large amount of its budget ($40M) on a proprietary AI model, it may indicate a vanity project. This spending is often driven by executives seeking to appear innovative rather than by a sound business case.
The "console war" is over not because one side won, but because the key players' strategies have diverged. Microsoft's Xbox is now console-agnostic and platform-focused, while Sony's PlayStation remains centered on exclusive hardware, meaning they no longer compete for the same territory.
The current AI market resembles the early, productive phase of the dot-com era, not its speculative peak. Key indicators like reasonable big tech valuations and low leverage suggest a foundational technology shift is underway, contrasting with the market frenzy of the late 90s.