They garnered over 1 million streams on Spotify within a few weeks, yet it was later disclosed that a fresh band, The Velvet Sundown, was crafted using production techniques involving AI.

This revelation ignited discussions about authenticity in the music industry. Industry experts argue that streaming platforms should be legally obligated to mark music created by AI actions, enabling consumers to make informed choices about the music they consume.

Initially, the band described as “The Synthetic Music Project, Guided by Human Creative Oversight,” denied that their works were AI-generated, releasing two albums in June titled Echo, Dust, and Silence Floating.

The situation grew more intricate when a self-identified “subsidized” member informed journalists that The Velvet Sundown utilized the AI platform Suno for song creation, branding the project as an “artistic hoax.”

The band’s official social media outlets refuted this claim, asserting that their identity had been “hijacked.” They later issued a statement admitting it was an AI creation and “not human at all.”

Sources told the Guardian that streaming services, including Spotify, currently lack legal obligations to disclose music produced by AI, hindering consumers from understanding the origin of the tracks they listen to.

“We are pleased to announce our commitment to offering a broad array of services to our clients,” stated Roberto Neri, CEO of Ivors Academy.

Neri remarked that while AI can enhance songwriting when “used ethically,” his organization is currently focused on what they term “deeply concerning issues” surrounding AI in music.

Sophie Jones, Chief Strategy Officer for the UK’s Music Trade Organization (BPI), has advocated for clear labeling. “We believe AI should be a tool that enhances human creativity, not replaces it,” Jones stated.

“This is why we urge the UK government to safeguard copyrights, implement new transparency requirements for AI firms, license and enforce music rights, and ensure proper labeling for AI-generated content.”

Liz Pelly, author of Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist, warned that independent artists could be taken advantage of by those behind AI bands who utilize music to produce trained tracks.

She referenced a 2023 incident involving songs uploaded to TikTok, Spotify, and YouTube, where Universal Music Group stated a song “infringes content created with generative AI” leading to its removal shortly after being uploaded.

It remains unclear what type of music informed The Velvet Sundown’s album. Critics express concerns that the ambiguity could result in independent artists missing out on compensation.

Pelly emphasized: “It’s not just pop stars facing this issue; every artist needs clarity on whether their work is being misappropriated in this way.”

For many, the rise of The Velvet Sundown is a natural progression in the intersection of music and AI, as legislative measures struggle to adapt to the swiftly evolving music landscape.

Jones commented: “The emergence of AI-generated music competing directly with human creativity underscores that tech companies are leveraging creative works to train AI models.”

Neri asserted that the UK has the potential to lead in the ethical adoption of AI in music, but this requires a strong legal framework that ensures “guarantees, fair compensation, and clear labels for listeners.”

“Without such protections, AI risks repeating the missteps of streaming, where major tech companies profit while music creators are sidelined,” he added.

Aurélien Hérault, Chief Innovation Officer at music streaming service Deezer, stated that the company employs detection software to identify and tag AI-generated tracks.

He remarked: “Currently, our platform is transparent, and we need to ensure users are alerted about AI usage. In the near future, a form of ‘naturalization of AI’ should indicate whether AI is being utilized.”

Hérault did not dismiss the possibility of future tag removals as AI-generated music gains popularity and musicians begin to adopt it like traditional “instruments.”

A recent report conveyed to the Guardian revealed that up to seven out of ten streams of AI-generated music on the platform are deemed fraudulent.

At present, Spotify does not label music as AI-generated and has faced backlash for including AI music in various playlists previously, often referred to as “ghost acts,” wherein stock music is fabricated.

A company spokesperson declared that Spotify does not prioritize AI-generated content. “All music available on Spotify, including AI-generated pieces, is created, owned, and uploaded by licensed third parties,” they elaborated.