Spotify will begin labelling AI-generated artist identities and excluding them from its editorial and algorithmic recommendations by default, as the music streaming platform moves to address growing concerns over artificial intelligence-generated music.
The company said on Tuesday that an “AI Persona” badge will begin appearing on some artist profiles from mid-September. The label will also be displayed in search results and alongside tracks on playlists, helping listeners distinguish AI-generated identities from human artists.
The move comes as AI-generated music becomes increasingly common across streaming platforms, with fully AI-generated, voice-cloned versions of songs by established artists going viral and attracting millions of plays before listeners realise they were created using artificial intelligence rather than the actual performers. The growing popularity of AI-generated music has intensified concerns in Nigeria and globally over transparency, consent and the unauthorised use of artists’ identities.
Spotify said the policy was prompted in part by concerns from listeners who encounter artist profiles that appear to represent real people, only to later discover that the identities are AI-generated.
“True artist-fan connection can only be built on a foundation of trust and authenticity,” Spotify said, adding that listeners need to be able to trust that the artist behind the music is who they claim to be.
Under the new system, music from AI Personas will not be included in Spotify’s personalised recommendations unless users have deliberately chosen to follow the artist.
Artists will be able to voluntarily disclose their AI Persona status through Spotify for Artists. However, Spotify said it would not rely solely on self-disclosure and would independently review artist profiles to identify identities that appear to be AI-generated.
Artists whose profiles are flagged by Spotify will be notified and given an opportunity to appeal the decision. The company also plans to allow listeners to report profiles they believe represent AI Personas, although the feature will be introduced in the coming months.
Spotify stressed that the new badge applies to the identity of the artist, rather than how the music itself was produced.
“This badge is about the artist’s public identity, not about how the music was made,” the company said, noting that human artists who use AI as part of their creative process will not automatically be classified as AI Personas.
The initiative forms part of Spotify’s wider efforts to improve transparency around artificial intelligence on its platform. The company has also introduced tools including AI Credits, Verified by Spotify and SongDNA to provide listeners with more information about artists and how music is created.
