The music streaming landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as artificial intelligence-generated tracks flood platforms like Deezer, with a staggering 97% of listeners unable to distinguish them from human-created music. This surge in AI content raises significant concerns about transparency, artist livelihoods, and the very nature of musical creativity.
Key Takeaways
A vast majority of listeners (97%) cannot differentiate between AI-generated and human-made music.
Approximately 50,000 AI-generated tracks are uploaded daily, constituting over a third of all new uploads on platforms like Deezer.
A significant portion of AI music streams are suspected to be fraudulent, aimed at manipulating royalty payouts.
Listeners express discomfort and a desire for clear labeling of AI-generated content.
Concerns are mounting over the potential economic impact on human artists.
The Rise of AI Music
Recent data reveals that streaming services are being inundated with AI-generated music. Deezer, for instance, reports receiving over 50,000 fully AI-generated tracks daily, a figure that has more than tripled since the beginning of the year. This influx represents approximately 34% of all daily uploads, highlighting the rapid proliferation of synthetic music production tools.
Listener Perception and Concerns
A global survey conducted by Deezer and Ipsos across eight countries found that 97% of participants could not reliably identify AI-generated tracks in a blind listening test. This lack of distinction has left many listeners feeling uncomfortable, with over half expressing unease. Furthermore, a significant majority (80%) desire clear labeling for AI-generated music, and 73% want transparency regarding AI content in recommendation algorithms.
Fraudulent Streams and Artist Livelihoods
Beyond the issue of indistinguishability, a major concern is the potential for fraudulent activity. Deezer's analysis suggests that up to 70% of streams on AI-generated tracks may be fraudulent, driven by bot networks designed to inflate play counts and siphon royalties. This practice not only dilutes the visibility of human artists but also diverts funds from the royalty pool, posing a significant economic threat to musicians. Industry studies estimate that a substantial portion of creators' revenue could be at risk by 2028 due to the rise of AI-generated output.
Platform Responses
In response to these challenges, Deezer has implemented measures to address the influx of AI music. The platform is the only major service currently tagging fully AI-generated tracks and removing them from algorithmic recommendations and editorial playlists. This strategy aims to prevent AI content from unfairly impacting the royalty pool and to ensure listeners make conscious choices about the music they consume. Suspicious activity related to AI tracks is also excluded from payouts.
Sources
- Yahoo News Singapore, Yahoo News Singapore.