Spotify to launch badge identifying AI music

Streaming giant Spotify said Tuesday it would launch a new "AI Persona" badge in mid-September clearly identifying content producers that are AI-generated and not real people.

"Listeners have been clear in telling us that they don't like seeing an artist profile that seems human, only to find out that the persona is AI-generated," Spotify said in a statement.

The move is the Swedish company's latest effort to be transparent about how the music on its platform was made, amid growing concern across the music industry over AI-generated content overwhelming streaming catalogues.

In April, the company launched its "Verified by Spotify" badge, signalling that a profile has been reviewed and meets its authenticity standard.

"Alongside artist profiles that self-disclose as AI Personas, we will also start applying badges to relevant profiles," the company said.

Spotify will not include AI Personas in editorial or personalised recommendations, unless a user follows an AI Persona, it said.

Spotify offers DRM-protected audio content, including over 100 million songs and over 7 million podcast titles, from record labels and media companies. Operating as a freemium service, the basic features are free with advertisements and limited control, while additional features, such as offline listening and commercial-free listening, are offered via paid subscriptions. It offers some social media features such as messaging, creating profiles, following friends, shared playlists, and creating listening parties called "Jams".

As of December 2022, Spotify is available in most of Europe, as well as Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, with availability in a total of 184 markets. Its users and subscribers are based largely in the United States and Europe, jointly accounting for around 53% of users and 67% of revenue.