AI continues to enter the world of human creativity.
Now, Spotify wants listeners to know when they encounter an AI-generated artist.
The streaming giant announced its new AI Persona badge on August 11.
The badge will help listeners identify artists who use AI-generated identities.
Spotify says transparency can help protect trust between artists and fans.
“True artist-fan connection can only be built on a foundation of trust and authenticity,” Spotify said.
“In music, that means listeners need to be able to trust that the artist behind the music is who they say they are.”
Listeners will start seeing the new badge in mid-September.
Spotify plans to display it in several areas of the platform.
These include artist profile banners, About sections, Search and playlist track rows.
The platform will also explain how each AI Persona received its label.
An artist may voluntarily disclose their AI identity.
Alternatively, Spotify may review the profile and make its own determination.
Supporting ‘real’ artists
Spotify will allow AI Personas on its platform.
However, the company will not include them in editorial or algorithmic recommendations by default.
As a result, AI Personas will not appear in personalised recommendations unless listeners choose to follow them.
Spotify says this approach will help keep human artists at the centre of its programming.
“While we believe all artists have creative choice in determining how they present themselves, Spotify’s programming is focused on elevating music from authentic artists building careers in music,” the platform stressed.
The AI Persona badge forms part of Spotify’s wider transparency efforts.
Earlier this year, the platform launched several tools related to music authenticity.
These include Verified by Spotify, SongDNA, AI Credits and Artist Profile Protection.
Together, these features aim to give listeners more information about the artists and music they discover.
‘Controversial’ use of AI
Ever since the emergence of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, its use has been met with both criticism and approval.
Some artists argue that it undermines human creativity, while others have shown support by incorporating AI into their craft.
SZA, the singer-songwriter behind hit songs ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Snooze’, was among the artists who called out the use of AI in music, especially after she found out that more than 200 of her songs had been used to train AI.
“Checked and music AI has trained off 238 of my songs. I’m certain some unreleased. If you’re a musician and you support this degenerate shit? You’re disgusting and there’s NOTHING YOU COULD EVER SAY TO ME TO MAKE THIS OKAY. I hope u have the life u deserve,” the Grammy winner said in an Instagram story cited by EuroNews.
SZA not alone
Other major artists who have raised concerns over the use of AI include Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj and Zayn Malik, as well as the estate of Bob Marley.
The artists were among the signatories of a 2024 open letter calling on AI developers and technology companies to stop using artificial intelligence to “infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists”.
“We believe that, when used responsibly, AI has enormous potential to advance human creativity and in a manner that enables the development and growth of new and exciting experiences for music fans everywhere,” the letter reads.
“Unfortunately, some platforms and developers are employing AI to sabotage creativity and undermine artists, songwriters, musicians and rightsholders.”
Embracing change in music
On the contrary, some artists have embraced the changes brought by AI in music and incorporated the technology into their craft.
American singer and rapper Tyga admitted in an interview with Mikey Fresh of Vibe that he used AI on his latest album, $tarface, viewing the technology as another tool for artists to adopt.
“We definitely used AI as a [tool]. And I know people are going to be mad about me saying this, but it’s where technology is going. It’s no different than when Auto-Tune came out. Some people were opposed to it, but real artists took it and used it,” the 36-year-old artist told the Vibe, as cited by Pitchfork.
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