Spotify to add label for AI-generated artists and remove them from recommendations
The new feature, starting from mid-September, will tell listeners if an artist is AI-generated.
Spotify is implementing a new feature to identify artists created by artificial intelligence (AI) and will also remove them from personalized recommendations. The streaming service stated that these modifications aim to provide listeners with "more transparency" regarding the content they are consuming.
Starting in mid-September, an "AI Persona" badge will begin appearing on some artist profiles. This badge will alert listeners if an "artist's identity may be AI-generated and does not represent a real person."
Spotify explained that these changes are a direct response to feedback from music fans who expressed dissatisfaction with discovering that profiles appearing to be human were, in fact, AI-generated. The presence of AI-generated music on the platform has been a long-standing concern for users. Previously, the BBC reported on a frustrated listener who, after noticing an increase in suspected AI-generated tracks in his playlists, developed a tool to automatically label and block them.
In its announcement, Spotify emphasized that "true artist-fan connection can only be built on a foundation of trust and authenticity." The company added, "In music, that means listeners need to be able to trust that the artist behind the music is who they say they are. That's more essential than ever in the age of generative AI."
The AI Persona badge will be visible on the banner and "about" section of artist profiles. It will also appear as a note in search results and on tracks within playlists. Spotify confirmed that artists bearing this badge will not be included in users' personalized recommendations unless the user already follows them.
Spotify clarified that the badge pertains to the "artist's public identity" and not "how the music was made," acknowledging that AI tools are now utilized in some human music creation processes. Currently, musicians can voluntarily disclose their use of AI tools in track creation through the AI Credits feature, with Spotify reporting tens of thousands of daily submissions for this.
Spotify hopes that AI profiles will self-disclose their nature in a similar fashion. However, the platform will also be reviewing accounts that appear to meet the criteria for an AI Persona badge. Accounts subsequently labeled by Spotify will be given the opportunity to self-disclose or appeal the decision. The badge will indicate whether an artist transparently identified as AI-generated or if Spotify had to review the account.