In mid-April of 2023, fans of Canadian superstar rapper Drake broke out in jubilation over a new release by their idol as the song “Heart on My Sleeve” appeared on Spotify and then on YouTube, after which it went viral on TikTok. It soon became clear, however, that what seemed to be a duet between Drake and his Canadian compatriot The Weeknd was actually an AI-generated deepfake.

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the 11th Vienna Music Business Research Days from taking place this year at the mdw with its usual international audience in attendance. But despite the unfavourable situation, the entire conference went forward in the virtual realm.

The total shutdown of public life that many countries imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the closure of all musical event locations, from small music clubs to opera houses and on to sports stadiums where concerts are also held..

In September 2017 the 8th Vienna Music Business Research Days—themed as “Unchaining the Digital Music Business?”—took place at the mdw.