Spotify to add label for AI-generated artists and remove them from recommendations

Spotify is set to introduce an AI Persona badge on artist profiles, starting mid-September, to indicate if an artist's identity may be AI-generated, according to the streaming service. This move aims to provide listeners with greater transparency about what they are hearing, Spotify claims. The company introduced the feature after receiving feedback from music fans who expressed their displeasure at seeing profiles that seemed human but turned out to be AI-generated.

Alex Winn, a musician and guitarist of Swindled, a North East band, believes the new feature is a "really good thing" and helps separate genuine artists from those merely using AI. He thinks that AI cannot replicate the emotional connection people seek in music, and the AI label will aid listeners in making informed choices about their listening habits.

Spotify emphasizes that the AI Persona badge will relate to the "artist's public identity" and not the method of music creation, acknowledging that AI tools are sometimes used in human music production. Bands can currently disclose their use of AI tools through the AI Credits feature, which receives tens of thousands of submissions daily from musicians.

Spotify will review accounts that appear to meet the AI Persona criteria, and artists will have the option to self-disclose or appeal the decision. The badge will be displayed on the banner and about section of artist profiles, as well as in search results and playlist tracks. If an artist was transparent about being AI-generated, it will be noted on the badge; otherwise, Spotify will have reviewed the account.