French music streaming service Deezer has disclosed that 18% of all tracks uploaded daily to its platform are now fully artificial intelligence (AI)-generated, amounting to more than 20,000 synthetic songs each day. This marks a significant increase from January 2024, when AI-created content represented only 10% of new uploads.

With a global subscriber base of around 9.7 million, Deezer introduced an AI detection and labelling tool earlier this year to address the emergent surge in AI-generated music. The platform’s Chief Innovation Officer, Aurelien Herault, explained that the tool can identify AI music created using popular platforms like Suno and Udio, both of which are currently embroiled in legal disputes with major record labels over allegations of copyright infringement.

“AI-generated content continues to flood streaming platforms like Deezer and we see no sign of it slowing down,” Herault said, highlighting the rapid influx of synthetic music into the streaming ecosystem.

In response to this trend, Deezer has committed to excluding AI-generated tracks from its algorithmic and editorial recommendations. This policy aims to preserve the visibility and revenue opportunities of tracks created by human artists. Deezer’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexis Lanternier, who assumed leadership in July 2024, acknowledged the innovative possibilities offered by generative AI but emphasised the necessity for responsible use.

“Generative AI has the potential to positively impact music creation and consumption, but its use must be guided by responsibility and care in order to safeguard the rights and revenues of artists and songwriters,” Lanternier stated.

The rise of AI in the music industry has sparked considerable debate and concern. Several prominent musicians, including Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, and Nicki Minaj, collectively signed an open letter in 2024, warning that AI-generated music trained on their original works could undermine creativity and diminish the value of human artistry.

Meanwhile, legal challenges against AI developers continue to escalate, with ongoing disputes over whether the use of copyrighted music to train AI systems constitutes fair use. Despite the proliferation of AI content, Deezer reports that the majority of its listeners still prefer music created by human artists.

“We are pleased that listeners prefer ‘real’ artists,” Lanternier remarked.

Deezer has also taken steps in the past to enhance the platform’s focus on human creativity. In 2023, it introduced an “artist-centric” royalty payment model in partnership with Universal Music Group in France and removed over 26 million tracks deemed ‘useless’ from its catalogue.

As AI-generated music continues to expand, Deezer’s measures reflect ongoing efforts within the industry to balance technological innovation with the protection and recognition of human musicians’ contributions.

Source: Noah Wire Services