Why I’m worried about AI songs on Spotify

TechAIWhy I’m worried about AI songs on SpotifyAre you listening to a real artist or an ‘AI-tist’?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Are you listening to a real artist or an ‘AI-tist’?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: David Espejo / Getty Images)

Music on iPhone

(Image credit: David Espejo / Getty Images)

Technology definitely has a place in music, I mean whole genres, such as techno, are built around it, while Gorillaz has been one of the most high-profile bands in the world for decades now despite the fact none of their animated avatars really exist.

At least there’s still genuine human creativity involved. AI songs like the Drake/Weeknd collab however could destroy the music industry. Simply asking an AI to “create X song about X subject in the style of X artist” has no artistic merit and has all sorts of copyright issues if released commercially. A quickGooglesearch for “AI Song Generators” could help you create a song in the style of someone likeTaylor Swiftin two minutes, but it won’t be anywhere near as good and isn’t art.

(Image credit: Emma Farrer / Getty Images)

Roboto hands playing piano

(Image credit: Emma Farrer / Getty Images)

Why would anyone release music as someone else? The easy answer is money. Streaming residuals can be lucrative if a song takes off and it’s a low-cost scam. To get on Spotify, artists need to be attached to a recognised distributor – but this is not a high-barrier to entry, as some such as Distrokid offer the chance to upload an unlimited amount of songs to Spotify for as little as $22.99. Great if you’re an aspiring musician, but also easily exploitable.

Some artists have actually embraced AI’s potential: Grimes (who has over 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify) has promised to split royalties 50/50 with anyone who wishes to use her voice to generate AI music. In fairness, this is a great way to make music available to the masses. But merely copying another artist without permission isn’t cool.Spotify itself has been bringing AI to the platform with itsAI DJ function, but as annoying as it is, at least it isn’t claiming to be someone else. We love music because of its emotional authenticity – and not only is AI music robbing artists, it’s depriving listeners of time they could be listening to any one of the thousands of brilliant up-and-coming artists who need support.

Today’s best Spotify dealsSpotify Student$4.99/mthViewatSpotifySpotify Premium$9.99/mthViewatSpotifySpotify Family$15.99/mthViewatSpotify

Today’s best Spotify deals

Spotify Student$4.99/mthViewatSpotifySpotify Premium$9.99/mthViewatSpotifySpotify Family$15.99/mthViewatSpotify

Spotify Student$4.99/mthViewatSpotify

Spotify

Spotify Student

$4.99/mthView

$4.99/mth

/mth

atSpotify

Spotify Premium$9.99/mthViewatSpotify

Spotify

Spotify Premium

$9.99/mthView

$9.99/mth

/mth

atSpotify

Spotify Family$15.99/mthViewatSpotify

Spotify

Spotify Family

$15.99/mthView

$15.99/mth

/mth

atSpotify

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

Ring x Kidde smart smoke alarms

Ring announces first ever smart smoke alarms in collaboration with KiddeRing partners with Kidde on smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Ring partners with Kidde on smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

BOOX Note Max

This E Ink notebook can replace your Kindle and Chromebook in oneBOOX’s new E Ink tablet can turn into an Android-powered laptop too

BOOX’s new E Ink tablet can turn into an Android-powered laptop too

Samsung Galaxy S24 review

Future Samsung phone update could be an AI-powered window to the outside worldA recently unveiled patent could spell a big change to your wallpaper

A recently unveiled patent could spell a big change to your wallpaper

Earth on circuit boards (art)

Google’s “Willow” quantum chip won’t just change future computers, it could change the worldWillow smashes benchmarks at a level hard to comprehend

Willow smashes benchmarks at a level hard to comprehend

Intel AI PC

Productivity 101: how to maximize your life with an AI PCRobert Hallock, VP and general Manager, client AI and technical marketing at Intel explains the advantages of AI computing

Robert Hallock, VP and general Manager, client AI and technical marketing at Intel explains the advantages of AI computing

How to save money on Spotify, music app subscription deals

Spotify gets a free update that makes repeat listening much more simpleHey DJ, play my favourite song

Hey DJ, play my favourite song

Spotify Offline Backup feature

Spotify gets a great free offline listening updateThe streaming service will create an offline playlist for you so you’ll never be without music

The streaming service will create an offline playlist for you so you’ll never be without music

Acer CHromebook Plus 514

Your Chromebook is getting a major AI upgrade for freeNew features are coming soon to Chromebook and Chromebook Plus

New features are coming soon to Chromebook and Chromebook Plus

HP OmniBook X

HP unveils first device with built-in AI assistant, the OmniBook XWith an increased reliance on AI and remote working conditions, the OmniBook X features a variety of enhanced tools that will significantly optimise its user experience

With an increased reliance on AI and remote working conditions, the OmniBook X features a variety of enhanced tools that will significantly optimise its user experience

An Image of Honor CEO, George Zhao, at IFA 2024 unveiling the companies AI Deepfake Detection technology

The best AI feature I’ve seen this week didn’t come from Apple IntelligenceThis could be a game changer in the fight against AI bad actors

This could be a game changer in the fight against AI bad actors

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox#

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox