As discussions surrounding AI music are as passionate as ever, streaming giant Spotify has detailed their latest plan, announcing their impending launch of AI Persona profile badges.
Announced today, Spotify explains that the new label is designed to provide listeners with greater transparency, indicating when an artist profile is presenting an AI-generated identity rather than a human one.
“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,” the platform said in their announcement post. “That’s why, starting mid-September, you’ll begin to see an AI Persona badge on some artist profiles.
“The badge signals to listeners that an artist’s identity may be AI-generated and does not represent a real person. Alongside artist profiles that self-disclose as AI Personas, we will also start applying badges to relevant profiles.”
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As Spotify explain, the nascent badges will launch next month, and while it joins previous AI disclosure tools such as AI Credits, the voluntary disclosure utilised in that example won’t be solely relied upon for the new addition.
Spotify's AI Persona Labels (Credit: Supplied)
“Spotify will also review artist profiles and identify those whose public identity—the identity an artist presents on their profile, including name and imagery—appears to represent photorealistic AI-generated identities,” the streamer explains.
“We’ll start with artists who have met defined audience thresholds, so the labels cover the vast majority of artist profiles that users visit.”
The AI Persona badge will appearance on the banner and About sections of Artist profiles, and also in playlists and on the search function. Tapping the badge will also share with listeners whether the artist was transparent with their disclosure, or whether Spotify were forced to "review and make an informed determination".
Additionally, Spotify have also noted that any artists which are tagged with the AI Persona badge will not be included in editorial or algorithmic recommendations by default. However, listeners who follow these AI Personas will be able to receive music from these ‘artists’ in their feeds.
News of this addition follows on from the platform introducing new measures last year to strengthen AI protections for artists and producers, including a new impersonation policy, and the investing of more resources into their content mismatch process.
Last month, discussion about AI music reached new heights alongside Josh Fawaz’s rework of Madonna’s Like A Prayer hitting the top of the radio airplay charts despite claims it was AI-generated.
Though Fawaz wouldn’t directly respond to these claims and instead note the technology was simply used “as a tool" in pursuit of "providing my listeners with good music", AI credits were later added to the track on Spotify.
Additionally, ARIA also issued a statement noting they were “working through” what a change could look like in which AI music was kept off the charts.
