The line between human creativity and artificial intelligence (AI) in music is becoming increasingly blurred. A recent survey conducted by Ipsos for Deezer, a France-based streaming platform, found that 97% of 9,000 participants couldn’t distinguish between AI-generated and human-made music.
The survey, which took place between October 6 and 10 across eight countries, including Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States, highlights the growing challenge of identifying the origin of music content.
The Rise of AI-Generated Music
The proliferation of AI-generated music on streaming platforms has sparked a debate about its impact on the music industry. According to Deezer, the number of AI-generated tracks streamed daily on its platform has surged from one in 10 in January to nearly 40,000, or over one in three, just 10 months later.
This trend is not limited to uploads; listeners are also engaging with AI-generated content. The AI group The Velvet Sundown, which was revealed to be AI-generated in July after going viral on Spotify, has had its most popular song streamed over three million times.
Transparency and Labeling
The survey revealed that more than half of the respondents felt uneasy about not being able to tell the difference between AI-generated and human-made music. A significant majority, 80%, wanted fully AI-generated music to be clearly labeled.
Deezer is currently the only major music-streaming platform that systematically labels completely AI-generated content. In response to the growing issue, Spotify announced plans to encourage artists and publishers to sign up to a voluntary industry code to disclose AI use in music production.
Industry Implications
The survey also explored broader concerns about AI’s impact on music. Fifty-one percent of respondents believed that AI would lead to more low-quality music on streaming platforms, and almost two-thirds thought it would result in a loss of creativity.
Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier emphasized that users care about knowing whether the music they’re listening to is AI-generated or human-made. The company’s proactive approach to labeling AI-generated content aims to provide transparency and address user concerns.
As AI-generated music continues to grow, the music industry will likely face ongoing challenges related to transparency, quality, and creativity. The next steps in addressing these concerns will be closely watched, particularly as streaming platforms and industry stakeholders consider new guidelines and regulations.
For now, the focus remains on providing clear labeling and transparency. As the landscape evolves, it will be crucial to monitor how the industry balances the benefits of AI-generated music with the need to preserve human creativity and authenticity.
