Spotify’s Shocking Use of AI Raises Eyebrows
In recent news, it has come to light that Spotify, the popular music streaming service, has been utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to create and publish new music on behalf of long-deceased musicians. This revelation follows the admission by the trending “indie rock band” The Velvet Sundown that their music on Spotify was entirely AI-generated.
According to a report by 404 Media, Spotify has been adding new AI-generated songs to the profiles of deceased artists without obtaining permission from their families or record labels. One such example cited in the report involved American singer-songwriter Blaze Foley, who tragically lost his life in 1989. A new song titled “Together” was released under Foley’s name, featuring elements like a male country singer, electric guitar, and piano. However, the song bore no resemblance to Foley’s authentic musical style. The accompanying art for the song was an AI-generated image of a young singer with spiky long hair and a black leather jacket, a stark contrast to Foley’s image.
Craig McDonald, the owner of the record label that manages Foley’s catalog, expressed shock at the unauthorized release of the AI-generated song on Foley’s Spotify page. He emphasized that the song lacked the authenticity of Foley’s work, describing it as an “AI schlock bot.” McDonald also questioned Spotify’s lack of safeguards against such actions, urging the company to take responsibility for preventing fraudulent practices.
Spotify responded to the situation by stating that the content violated its policies regarding deceptive content, particularly impersonation intended to mislead listeners. The company assured that it takes action against those responsible for such violations and emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of artists’ profiles on the platform.
The emergence of AI-generated music on streaming services like Spotify has raised concerns about the impact on living musicians. As AI-generated content continues to proliferate, many independent and emerging artists risk being overshadowed by AI-generated tracks. The prevalence of AI-generated music has prompted platforms like Deezer to implement AI detection tools to combat the influx of AI-generated content.
In conclusion, the use of AI to create and publish music on behalf of deceased musicians without authorization poses ethical and artistic dilemmas. The case of Blaze Foley and other artists highlights the need for platforms like Spotify to enhance their security measures and uphold the integrity of artists’ profiles. As the music industry grapples with the increasing influence of AI, it becomes imperative to strike a balance between technological innovation and artistic authenticity to ensure that musicians’ legacies are preserved and respected.