AI 'spam' floods Spotify, Tidal, tricking fans of dormant bands
Source: npr.org
The Rise of AI Music Scams
Imagine waking up to discover your band has released a new song, without your knowledge. That's the reality for some musicians today, as AI-generated tracks are being uploaded to streaming platforms under their names. These digital scams highlight a growing problem: the ease with which AI can be used to exploit artists and deceive fans.
What Happened
Luke Temple, frontman of the band Here We Go Magic, was surprised to find a new track attributed to his band on Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube. The only problem? Here We Go Magic hasn't released music since 2015. The song, titled "Water Spring Mountain," was an AI creation, complete with AI-generated cover art. This incident is not isolated. Artists like Jeff Tweedy (Uncle Tupelo, Wilco), the late electro-pop artist Sophie, and country singer Blaze Foley have also had their music profiles vandalized with AI-generated songs.
Record labels and artists don't directly upload songs to platforms like Spotify, increasing the potential for exploitation. Instead, they rely on independent distribution services, such as DistroKid and TuneCore, which often lack rigorous authentication processes.
Why It Matters
The motivation behind these AI-generated tracks appears to be financial gain, however small. By targeting inactive or lesser-known artists, scammers hope to "collect some pennies" unnoticed. But the impact goes beyond mere financial loss. Artists like Temple view it as "shameless identity theft," undermining their hard-earned reputations. It's a predatory practice that devalues the work of musicians who have struggled for years to make a living.
Spotify admitted to removing 75 million "spammy" tracks in the past year, revealing the scale of the problem. Tidal also confirmed the removal of the AI-generated Here We Go Magic track, acknowledging the influx of AI content submitted through third-party distributors. Both platforms are working on improved methods to identify and remove AI content.
Our Take
The music industry faces a cat-and-mouse game, now supercharged by AI. Tools like Suno and Udio allow anyone to create AI songs mimicking real artists in seconds. As AI music generators become more accessible, the problem will likely worsen. The challenge lies in balancing the benefits of AI in music creation with the need to protect artists from exploitation and fraud.
Spotify's recent launch of a tool for artists to report mismatched releases before songs go live is a step in the right direction. However, more robust authentication processes are needed throughout the music supply chain. Independent distribution services must implement stricter verification measures to prevent unauthorized uploads.
Looking Ahead
The rise of AI-generated music presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI can be a powerful tool for creative expression, it also opens the door to new forms of exploitation. Streaming services, distributors, and artists must collaborate to develop effective safeguards. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a music ecosystem where AI enhances creativity without compromising the rights and integrity of artists.