AI Slop FM radio experiment puts machines on trial, one dodgy tune at a time

A Welsh man named Mike Chaffin has created AI Slop FM, an internet radio station that blends AI-generated music with human-made tracks, all presented without revealing which is which to listeners. This experiment aims to discern whether audiences dislike AI music or simply the notion of it. Running 24/7 from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, the station challenges listeners to rate tracks on a scale from S to E, describe the emotions they evoke, and provide written feedback.

By removing artist names, cover art, and any reference to AI, Chaffin hopes to gauge what listeners truly think based solely on the music itself. The most popular submissions will be compiled into a weekly chart called the Slop 40, offering a rare audience for creators in the streaming era. While some human musicians are hesitant about participating, Chaffin, who discovered this from his friend, believes there's a pervasive fear of AI music within the industry.

The station is currently in beta, with Chaffin awaiting a sufficient number of submissions across various genres before fully opening the schedule. So far, the submitted music has impressed Chaffin, though he meticulously listens to each track to verify that none are fraudulent. Early submissions include rudimentary protest songs criticizing HR departments and an operatic tale about a blocked toilet, with the latter being particularly memorable.

Chaffin acknowledges the overwhelming amount of music uploaded to streaming platforms, many of which never find an audience. He hopes AI Slop FM will shine a light on these overlooked creations, even if they don't make the Slop 40, by providing them with another platform. He remains unconcerned about the possibility of AI-generated music being rated higher than human-made music, stating that if the machines win, their creators deserve an audience just as much.

Chaffin also plans to compare the station's top picks with official music charts once the submissions have been filled, though results are still forthcoming. Ultimately, Chaffin believes that listeners form opinions about music based on factors beyond just the music itself, such as the artist's genre, label, name, or cover art. By eliminating these elements, AI Slop FM lets tracks be judged purely on their musical merit.