PremiumJoanna WaneSenior Feature Writer Lifestyle Premium·NZ Herald·8 Aug, 2026 09:00 PM11 mins to read‌Gisborne cafe Flagship Eatery has a copyright licence to play original music but a growing number of cafes are cutting costs by using AI music instead. Photo / Neat PlacesAn AI-generated music revolution is upon us – and it’s coming to a cafe near you, writes Joanna Wane.The other day, I walked into my favourite cafe and slipped through a fold in time.

Everything looked exactly the same, but something felt off. It wasn’t the coffee (the