In recent months, Spotify has become the epicenter of a heated debate over the ethics of artificial intelligence in music. The world’s leading streaming service faced strong backlash after investigations revealed the hosting of AI-generated tracks attributed to deceased musicians—without any approval from the artists’ estates or record labels.

Several high-profile incidents have drawn public and industry concern. One notable case involved the song “Together” posted under the official page of country artist Blake Foley, whose tragic death occurred in 1989. The music style mimicked Foley’s, but the promotional artwork depicted a generic blonde figure bearing no resemblance to him. Another unauthorized AI song, “Happened To You,” was released under Grammy-winning songwriter Guy Clark, who passed away in 2016.

A closer look by independent researchers tied these tracks back to entities such as Syntax Error, responsible for producing a number of questionable titles—all using advanced generative AI tools.

Spotify’s Response and Broader Industry Trends

After these revelations surfaced, Spotify took corrective action and removed the contentious tracks. However, similar episodes continue to arise. For example, a band known as Velvet Sundown achieved millions of plays with music produced entirely through artificial intelligence. Although the project now identifies as a “synthetic music project,” no AI label is provided on any track, leaving listeners unaware of the content’s origins.

Spotify’s leadership, including CEO Daniel Ek, has signaled a relaxed stance on AI music, suggesting that as long as tracks do not impersonate specific artists, they are welcome on the service. Nevertheless, these policies have proven difficult to enforce; critics argue that fraudulent, AI-generated imitations are still slipping through the cracks. Recent reports document widespread issues with fake albums, misleading metadata, and AI-driven music flooding the platform—frequently blended with authentic artist catalogs.

Financial and Legal Implications for Human Artists

The proliferation of AI music on streaming platforms has generated a multifaceted backlash:

• Copyright Infringement Concerns:
  AI music generators such as Suno and Udio draw on vast troves of existing songs, sometimes without explicit permission. The companies argue this falls under “fair use,” but many artists and legal experts consider it a violation of intellectual property, fueling ongoing disputes over digital sampling and compensation.
• Erosion of Royalties:
  Each AI track contending for listener attention dilutes royalty pools, meaning less revenue for songwriters and performers who create original works.
• Deceptive Representation:
  When AI tracks are passed off—intentionally or not—as the creations of real or deceased musicians, listeners are misled and the legacies of artists are put at risk.

Calls for Reform and Transparency in AI Music

Industry advocates and creators are demanding a new approach to address these ethical and legal challenges. Voices like Sophie Jones, chief strategy officer at the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), argue that technology companies are deploying AI trained on copyrighted material, often without compensation or consent, and in direct competition with human musicians.

The lack of transparency also threatens to erode trust within the music ecosystem. Misinformation resulting from unlabeled AI-generated songs risks damaging artist reputations and misleading audiences.

One widely proposed solution is the clear labelling of AI-generated music. While Spotify has yet to adopt this practice, other streaming services, such as Deezer, have begun rolling out algorithms and notifications to distinguish artificial content from human artistry. Deezer’s CEO, Alexis Lanternier, emphasizes the importance of transparency and artist protection, especially as copyright law faces new tests in the age of generative media.

The Ongoing Debate Over AI’s Role in Music

The debate about AI’s place in music creation is far from settled. While artificial intelligence holds promise for new creative frontiers, its unchecked use threatens established artist rights, fair compensation, and the trust of listeners. As the pressure mounts, the music industry is being called to set new standards that honor both innovation and the intrinsic value of original human creativity.

Streaming giants like Spotify now face a watershed moment: either lead in establishing transparent, responsible AI guidelines—or risk further alienating the very communities and creators that have made global music culture possible.

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