AI-Generated Music: Listeners Can’t Tell the Difference, Sparking Concerns About Authenticity and Creativity
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A recent survey by Deezer and ipsos reveals a growing unease surrounding the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in music. The study found that a staggering 97% of respondents are unable to distinguish between music created by AI and that composed by human artists. This comes as AI-generated music is increasingly topping charts, with Breaking Rust’s country song Walk My walk becoming the first AI track to reach number one on Billboard’s digital sales chart for country songs this week. https://www.billboard.com/music-news/breaking-rust-walk-my-walk-ai-country-song-chart-1235464441/
The findings highlight a critical moment in the music industry as AI tools become more refined and accessible, raising questions about the future of musical creativity, authenticity, and artist compensation.
The Rise of AI-Generated Music
The proliferation of AI-generated music has been rapid. Deezer reports a notable surge in AI-created content on its platform. In January 2023, approximately one in ten tracks streamed daily were fully AI-generated. By October 2023, that number had jumped to over one in three, representing nearly 40,000 tracks streamed each day. https://newsroom.deezer.com/2023/11/21/new-deezer-ipsos-study-reveals-97-of-people-cant-tell-the-difference-between-ai-and-human-made-music/
This trend gained further attention with the viral success of The Velvet Sundown, an entirely AI-generated band on Spotify. Their most popular song has amassed over three million streams. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/29/ai-band-the-velvet-sundown-spotify-viral-success
Concerns Among Listeners
The Ipsos survey, conducted between October 6th and 10th across eight countries (Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States), reveals significant anxieties among music listeners.
* More than half of respondents expressed discomfort at being unable to differentiate between human and AI-created music.
* 51% believe AI will lead to a flood of low-quality music on streaming platforms.
* Almost two-thirds (66%) fear a decline in overall creativity.
These concerns underscore a desire for transparency and a connection to the human element in music. Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier stated that the results demonstrate “people care about music and want to know if they’re listening to AI or human-made tracks.” https://newsroom.deezer.com/2023/11/21/new-deezer-ipsos-study-reveals-97-of-people-cant-tell-the-difference-between-ai-and-human-made-music/
Industry Response and the Call for Labeling
Currently, Deezer is the only major music streaming platform that systematically labels fully AI-generated content.Eighty percent of survey respondents want all AI-generated songs to be clearly identified.
Spotify has acknowledged the issue and announced it will encourage artists and publishers to adopt a voluntary industry code to disclose the use of AI in music production. https://www.billboard.com/music-news/spotify-ai-music-labeling-1235464442/ However, the reliance on a voluntary code raises questions about its effectiveness and potential for widespread adoption.
Key Takeaways
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