Technology

    Spotify to Label AI Generated Artists

    Streaming giant introduces 'AI Persona' badge and removes AI music from recommendations starting mid-September.

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    Spotify, the global music streaming service, will introduce a new feature to identify artists generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This 'AI Persona' badge will start appearing on some artist profiles from mid-September 2026. The company states this change will flag artists whose identities may be AI-generated and do not represent a real person. This initiative comes after music fans expressed their dissatisfaction with encountering profiles that appear human but are, in fact, AI-generated. The streaming giant aims to offer users greater transparency about the music they consume. This move reflects a broader industry discussion about the role of AI in creative fields and the importance of authenticity. The introduction of AI-generated music has raised concerns among both listeners and human artists. Musicians like Alex Winn, a guitarist in the band Swindled, view the incoming feature positively. He believes it will help distinguish music created by humans from that produced solely by AI, fostering a more equitable environment for artists. Spotify's decision aligns with the sentiment that emotional connection is central to music, a quality many believe AI cannot replicate. Winn, 19, suggests the AI label will empower listeners to make informed choices about their listening habits. He hopes this will redirect users towards human artists, helping to level the playing field in a competitive industry. Music fan Leon Keenan, 20, supports the clear labeling of AI music, though he does not advocate for its complete removal. He emphasizes that music is about passion, a sentiment echoed by Ellie Sumner, 21, who welcomes the new label after previously mistaking AI-generated work for human creations. These reactions highlight a growing demand for clarity regarding content origin. Spotify announced that true artist-fan connection relies on trust and authenticity. The company believes listeners need to trust the identity of the artist behind the music, especially in the age of generative AI. This policy underscores the platform's commitment to maintaining a credible and trustworthy environment for its users. The 'AI Persona' badge will be visible on artist profile banners and 'about' sections. It will also appear in search results and on tracks within playlists. Crucially, artists with this badge will not feature in users' personalized recommendations unless explicitly followed by the user. This adjustment aims to prioritize human-created content in discovery algorithms. Spotify clarified that the badge relates to the artist's public identity, not necessarily how the music was made. The company acknowledges that AI tools are increasingly used in human music creation. Spotify already offers an 'AI Credits' feature, allowing musicians to transparently disclose their use of AI tools, receiving tens of thousands of submissions daily. Spotify hopes AI profiles will self-disclose similarly, but the platform will also review accounts meeting the criteria. Labeled artists can appeal or self-disclose, with the badge indicating if the artist was transparent or if Spotify made the determination.

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