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MU General Secretary to Open Output Belfast with Keynote Address

Naomi Pohl will address Northern Ireland’s music community and join a panel on music and AI at Output Belfast on 25 September.

Published: 12 August 2025 | 6:05 PM
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Output Belfast offers creative and business insights for Northern Ireland’s music community. Photo: Output.

Output Belfast, Ireland’s largest one-day music conference, returns on Thursday 25 September.

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl will open the event with a keynote speech alongside Krispin Hunt (PRS for Music) and Tom Gray (The Ivors Academy).

Music and AI panel

At 11:30 am, Naomi will then join Jude Copeland (Lawyer at Cleaver Fulton Rankin) and moderator Chris Cooke (Complete Music Update - CMU) for a panel exploring music and AI.

As generative AI has become more sophisticated and more widely available, it has prompted some big debates in the music industry. To train a music-making AI, you need access to large quantities of existing music. But do you need to get permission from the relevant creators and rightsholders first? The music industry says "yes", but many AI companies say "no".

This panel will explain the legal arguments, run through the lobbying and litigation that is happening right now, and outline what music-makers and everyone working in the music industry needs to know.

Room details to be confirmed, please check the website for updates.

Conference details

With over 30 workshops, masterclasses, panels and talks, Output Belfast offers creative and business insights for Northern Ireland’s music community – from songwriting and performance to management, marketing and industry networking. Sessions feature global music industry leaders and aim to support both emerging and established talent, including artists, managers, journalists, and composers.

  • Date: Thursday 25 September
  • Time: 10:00 am - late
  • Locations: The Mac and Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast
  • Tickets: Free, just register in advance for which sessions you’d like to attend.

View the full lineup and sign up.

Access

Both venues have step-free access. For more information on accessibility or general enquiries, please mail Mark Gordon (Output Belfast founder and Director) via mark@scoredrawmusic.com.

The Oh Yeah Music Centre is also an MU Fair Play Venue, supporting fair treatment for musicians and opposing pay-to-play and unfair ticketing practices.

Your Union in Northern Ireland. Your Voice Where It Counts.

The Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Office is championing musicians across the country—offering local support, tailored guidance, and a powerful voice for performers in every corner of Northern Ireland.

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