Music Industry Insiders Demand AI-Generated Music to Be Labeled Clearly on Streaming Platforms

The recent viral success of the AI-generated band ‘Velvet Sundown’ on Spotify, which reached 1 million streams in just weeks, has sparked debates in the music industry about transparency. The band, whose music, promotional images, and backstory were all created by artificial intelligence, has led to calls for AI-generated music to be clearly labeled on streaming services. Music industry professionals argue that consumers should be informed about the origins of the music they listen to to avoid misleading impressions. Some experts, like Roberto Neri of the Ivors Academy, believe the rise of AI-generated music raises serious concerns about authorship and consent. Sophie Jones from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) echoed this, calling for new regulations to ensure transparency. There are also concerns that AI-generated music could exploit independent artists and their works, as seen in past instances of AI music mimicking famous artists without consent. While streaming platforms like Deezer are already tagging AI-generated tracks, Spotify has yet to adopt a similar system. The ongoing debate highlights the need for clear labeling to ensure that listeners understand whether the music they are enjoying was created by humans or AI, raising questions about the future role of AI in the music industry.