In the music industry, there has been a notable rise in the use of AI-generated clones of songs and artists. This phenomenon, which is not entirely new, has become a source of concern as instances of impersonation have increased. In 2023, there were multiple AI-generated tracks attributed to rapper Drake, highlighting the growing issue. Artists such as Beyoncé and William Basinski have also encountered fake songs linked to their names. Recently, the band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard voiced their frustrations over this trend.
Streaming platform Spotify has implemented measures against impersonation, including removing millions of spam tracks. However, the influx of approximately 50,000 AI-generated tracks daily on platforms like Deezer poses significant challenges in monitoring and regulation. Music uploaded through third-party distribution services complicates the verification of artist identities, which raises questions about the effectiveness of current screening processes.
One example of AI impersonation involved Basinski, whose profile featured a seemingly AI-generated reggaeton song. He expressed his frustration at the situation, noting the vigilance required from labels and distributors to address such issues. Similar concerns have been echoed by artists like Luke Temple of Here We Go Magic, who found their dormant band revitalized by an AI track, along with guitarist Steve Lukather from Toto, regarding an AI-generated song appearing on their page.
The emergence of songs like “Breaking Rust,” which reached the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart, has sparked discussion about misleading headlines and potential manipulation in chart rankings. Meanwhile, the rise of AI-generated music has caught the attention of organizations such as the United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW), which advocates for clearer regulations to protect artists’ rights.
As the industry evolves, the need for skepticism towards AI-generated music is apparent, emphasizing the ongoing debate about the role of technology in creative expression.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/report/844454/musicians-tired-of-ai-clones