Artificial intelligence compositions by deceased musicians ignite a new wave of controversy, alleging exploitation
In the realm of digital music streaming, two major platforms - Spotify and Deezer - have found themselves at the centre of a heated debate. The controversy stems from the publication of AI-generated songs under the names of deceased musicians, a practice that has sparked outrage over exploitation and deception.
Spotify, under the leadership of CEO Daniel Ek, has adopted a laissez-faire approach towards AI-generated content. Ek stated that tracks created with AI were fair game on the platform unless they mimicked real artists. However, this stance has led to controversy, with AI tracks like "Together" attributed to the late Blake Foley and "Happened To You" linked to Guy Clark's profile, being misleading as they were not authentic recordings by the original artists.
The publication of these tracks has been met with condemnation from artists, music estates, and industry professionals. They view this practice as damaging to the legacy of the deceased musicians and harmful to listener trust. The tracks were uploaded through distributors tied to companies like Syntax Error, sometimes slipping through Spotify’s review before being removed for violating Spotify’s Deceptive Content policy.
One of the most notable cases of this controversy involved Toto’s Steve Lukather, who confirmed a recent AI-generated song under the band's page was fraudulent and filed a formal complaint, criticizing Spotify for lack of oversight.
Another concern arises from Spotify’s promotion of AI-generated acts like The Velvet Sundown, a "synthetic music project" that initially misled listeners by appearing as a legitimate band with a verified artist badge. The band later admitted to being AI-driven and framed as an artistic provocation about AI’s role in music creation.
In response to these concerns, Spotify has taken some steps to remove unauthorized AI-generated tracks, explicitly enforcing rules against deceptive content. However, critics argue that oversight remains insufficient and that the economic incentives driving AI music proliferation continue to pose issues for musicians, both living and deceased.
Meanwhile, Deezer, under the leadership of CEO Alexis Lanternier, has taken a different approach. Lanternier believes in a responsible and transparent approach to AI, aiming to build trust with users and the music industry. Deezer's approach to AI-generated content involves clearly labeling it to provide transparency.
Last month, an AI-generated band called the Velvet Sundown popped up on Spotify. Unlike Deezer, Spotify does not label the tracks - or any other music - as AI-generated. This lack of transparency has been a point of criticism, with industry professionals arguing that streaming platforms should start by clearly labeling AI-generated content.
The chief strategy officer at the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), Sophie Jones, has called for new protections for creators in an interview with the Guardian. She stated that tech companies have been using creative works to train AI models without authorization or payment to creators and rights-holders. Deezer, on the other hand, has developed an algorithm that can identify artificially created songs made using several popular generative AI models.
In summary, the core controversy centres on ethical, legal, and artistic implications of AI-generated music being misattributed to deceased musicians. Spotify, in particular, has faced criticism for its laissez-faire approach and lack of transparency. Deezer, on the other hand, has shown a commitment to safeguarding the rights of artists and songwriters at a time where copyright law is being questioned in favour of training AI models. The debate is far from over, with ongoing concerns about insufficient oversight and the potential threat to artist livelihoods and legacy protection.
| Aspect | Details | |---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Cause of controversy | AI-generated songs appear under deceased artists’ names without authorization, misleading fans and exploiting legacies[1][2]. | | Examples cited | Tracks like "Together" (Blake Foley) and "Happened To You" (Guy Clark); AI band Velvet Sundown[1][2][3]. | | Artist reaction | Condemnation, formal complaints (e.g., Toto), damage to artist trust and legacy[2]. | | Spotify’s measures | Track removals citing policy violations against deceptive content, acknowledgement of the issue[1][2]. | | Ongoing concerns | Insufficient oversight, AI proliferation threatening artist livelihoods and legacy protection[4]. | | Deezer’s approach | Clear labelling of AI-generated content for transparency[5]. | | BPI’s call | New protections for creators, criticism of tech companies using creative works without authorization or payment[6]. |
- The practice of AI-generated songs appearing under deceased artists' names is a significant issue, as it deceives fans and exploits the artists' legacies, as seen with tracks credited to Blake Foley and Guy Clark on Spotify.
- In contrast to Spotify, Deezer aims to build trust in AI by clearly labeling AI-generated content, setting a precedent for transparency in the music industry.
