Deezer: 20,000 AI Tracks and Counting
Deezer, the streaming platform that’s not Spotify, has reported a surge in fully AI-generated music submissions. According to a recent blog post, the service now receives over 20,000 such tracks daily, representing a whopping 18% of all uploads. That’s nearly double the figure reported in January. One might be tempted to call this a problem. Deezer seems to be taking it in its stride, however.
The Rise of the Machines (and Their Music)
Back in January, Deezer unveiled an AI detection tool. This wasn’t some sort of Skynet-esque attempt to wipe AI art from existence; rather, it was a pragmatic approach to managing the influx. Instead of outright banning AI-generated tunes, Deezer’s tool removes them from algorithmic recommendations and editorial playlists. Users can still find them if they really want to, but they won’t be force-fed the synthesized sounds of the future. Or, more likely, the present.
The question is, what does this all mean?
The Detection Dilemma
Deezer themselves admit that their detection tool is not infallible. It’s currently geared toward identifying music from specific AI models like Suno and Udio. While they state that they can add detection capabilities for other tools with access to relevant data, there’s a clear possibility that a significant portion of AI-generated music is slipping through the cracks. Are we listening to it now? Probably. Are we enjoying it? That’s debatable.
More importantly, the tool only targets fully AI-generated works. Music that’s AI-assisted, where a human has contributed “sufficient expressive elements” (according to the U.S. Copyright Office), remains untouched. This raises a philosophical quandary: where do we draw the line between human creativity and machine automation?
Industry-Wide Implications
Deezer’s proactive approach is relatively unique. Billboard reported in February that most streaming services lack specific AI policies. SoundCloud is a notable exception, prohibiting the monetization of exclusively AI-generated content, encouraging users to use the tech as a tool but not a replacement for human creation. Other platforms, like Spotify and YouTube Music, have focused on combating AI-related issues like voice impersonation and spam uploads, even if they don’t directly target AI itself.
This is all part of a larger conversation about the future of music, copyright, and the role of AI in creative endeavors. Are we on the verge of a musical singularity, where algorithms compose symphonies and humans become mere listeners? Or will human creativity prevail, relegating AI to the role of a helpful, but ultimately subservient, tool?
A Measured Response
“AI-generated content continues to flood streaming platforms like Deezer, and we see no sign of it slowing down,” says Aurelien Herault, Deezer’s chief innovation officer. He rightly notes the potential benefits of generative AI while emphasizing the need for responsible development to protect artists’ rights and revenue. Deezer’s current solution is to “remov[e] fully AI-generated content from the algorithmic recommendations”.
The floodgates are open, and the AI music is flowing. It’s up to platforms like Deezer, and indeed the entire music industry, to navigate these uncharted waters and ensure that the future of music remains, at least in part, human.
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