"AI Persona": Spotify to label profiles created by artificial intelligence
Spotify is introducing an "AI Persona" tag for profiles created by artificial intelligence to increase platform transparency. The company will also restrict recommendations of such music in algorithmic playlists.
Spotify, the world's largest music streaming platform, has announced a new initiative to combat the growing use of AI. The company will begin labeling profiles created by AI with the "AI Persona" tag to distinguish them from human musicians. This move is part of an effort to ensure transparency regarding who is behind the music being consumed.
In addition, the company will not recommend songs created by these artificial accounts in algorithmically generated playlists unless users specifically choose to engage with them. Starting this week, profiles can self-identify as an AI product, with tags officially appearing in mid-September. Concurrently, Spotify will work to remove profiles suspected of being "photorealistic AI identities" that failed to disclose their nature. Users will also be able to flag artists they believe are AI-generated, though artists will have the opportunity to appeal if they believe they were labeled in error.
"Listeners have made it clear to us that they do not like seeing an artist profile that looks human, only to discover later that there is artificial intelligence behind the character," the company stated. "Listeners must be able to trust that the artist behind the music is indeed who they claim to be. In the current era, this is more vital than ever."
Spotify's focus is primarily on profiles rather than the music itself, although there is a high probability that "AI Persona" profiles also present music produced by this technology.
The announcement follows the release of second-quarter results, which were impacted by rising expenses. For the three months ending in June, the company reported a 19% increase in operating profit to 941 million euros. Net profit stood at 545 million euros, while revenue reached 4.8 billion euros, missing forecasts.
"In the last three years, we have not increased our headcount while revenue has almost doubled," said co-CEO Gustav Söderström. "We will continue to invest in AI on our own terms."
