Spotify users are growing frustrated as the platform increasingly promotes AI-generated music, raising concerns about authenticity in the streaming era.
Recently, a music journalist stumbled upon a captivating album with millions of streams, only to find no trace of the artists online. Instead of a traditional label, the album credited an AI as the creator, with the group seemingly active since 2020 — a red flag given AI music tools only gained prominence later. Commenters on her post quickly shared similar experiences, noting that Spotify’s “new discovery” recommendations often lead to AI-produced tracks masquerading as human-made content.
This trend has accelerated, with cases like The Velvet Sundow, an indie band that went viral a month ago, amassing over 300,000 listeners in its first month after landing in Spotify’s Discovery Weekly playlist. Only later did it emerge that the project was entirely AI-generated. Among major streaming platforms, only Deezer has publicly adopted labeling to distinguish AI content, leaving Spotify, Apple Music, and others silent on the issue.
The situation presents a double-edged sword for the industry. On one hand, AI music could slash licensing costs and royalties, aligning with Spotify’s long-standing push for affordable background content to fill its catalog. On the other, it erodes trust — why pay a subscription if the platform obscures whether the music is human-crafted? In response to criticism, Spotify defends its neutrality, stating, “We don’t regulate the technologies artists use in their creative process. Musicians and producers should decide what and how to create. Our focus is ensuring content doesn’t mislead or infringe on intellectual property. If it does, we penalize creators or remove the content.”
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Looking ahead, the industry faces several potential paths. One possibility is honest labeling of AI content, fostering transparency and allowing users to choose their preferences — though this risks alienating artists reliant on AI anonymity. Another scenario is the “dead internet theory” taking hold, where AI-generated music dominates streams, potentially drowning out human creativity and turning platforms into echo chambers of synthetic output. Alternatively, a “purist” streaming service focused solely on live musicians could emerge, drawing disillusioned users seeking authentic experiences, though its success would depend on widespread demand.
The outcome remains uncertain, but as AI music proliferates, platforms like Spotify must navigate the delicate balance between innovation, cost-efficiency, and the trust of their audience. Without clear action, the line between art and algorithm may blur beyond recognition.
