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| Illustration: photo/ Spotify logo/ |
Spotify, the global streaming platform, announced it will begin labeling music generated by artificial intelligence and will stop recommending such tracks to users. The new labels, set to roll out next month, mark the company's latest effort to address the growing presence of AI-created content on its service.
The move comes as AI-generated songs have proliferated across streaming platforms, raising questions about authenticity, copyright, and the impact on human artists. Spotify's decision to tag these tracks is intended to give listeners clearer information about the origin of the music they hear.
According to the company, the labels will appear on AI-generated tracks, and the platform will adjust its recommendation algorithms to avoid promoting them. This means such songs may still be accessible through direct searches or user playlists, but they will not be pushed to users via Spotify's curated or algorithmic playlists.
The initiative reflects a broader industry debate about how to handle AI in music. While some see AI as a tool for creativity, others worry about it flooding the market with low-quality or derivative works, potentially crowding out human musicians
Spotify has not specified how it will verify which tracks are AI-generated, nor has it detailed the exact criteria for the labels. The company said it is working with artists, labels, and industry partners to refine the approach over time.
This is not the first time Spotify has grappled with AI content. Earlier this year, the platform removed a viral AI-generated track that mimicked the voices of popular artists without their consent, citing policy violations.
The new labeling system is part of a wider push by the music industry to establish norms around AI. Other platforms and industry bodies are also exploring ways to distinguish human-created works from machine-generated ones, though no universal standard has emerged.
For now, Spotify's move is a significant step by a major player to set a precedent. As AI tools become more accessible, the company's approach could influence how other streaming services and platforms handle similar content.Listeners and artists alike will be watching closely to see how the labels are implemented and whether they effectively address concerns about transparency and fairness in the music ecosystem.