Deezer Struggles with Abundance of AI-Generated Music
amsterdam, woensdag, 17 september 2025.
The music streaming service Deezer is grappling with an explosive increase in AI-generated music. Nearly a third of new uploads are entirely synthetic, producing thousands of tracks per day. This ‘fake’ music is often used by fraudsters to siphon off money, causing significant problems for the platform and real artists. Deezer has implemented an AI detection tool and places this content outside algorithmic recommendations, but the challenge remains substantial.
Explosive Growth of AI-Generated Music
The music streaming service Deezer is grappling with an explosive increase in AI-generated music. Nearly a third of new uploads are entirely synthetic, producing thousands of tracks per day [1][2][3]. This ‘fake’ music is often used by fraudsters to siphon off money, causing significant problems for the platform and real artists. Deezer has implemented an AI detection tool and places this content outside algorithmic recommendations, but the challenge remains substantial [4].
Rapid Growth and Fraud Practices
The rapid growth of AI-generated music is notable. In January 2025, 10% of new uploads were AI-generated, but this has risen to 28% by September 2025 [1][2][3]. Deezer now receives more than 30,000 AI-generated tracks per day, compared to 10,000 in January [1][2][3]. This ‘fake’ music is often used by fraudsters to siphon off money. Streaming platforms like Deezer pay a small amount per streamed track, and fraudsters use bots to stream these tracks en masse to claim the compensation [1][2][3].
Impact on Artists and the Platform
These practices have serious consequences for both the platform and real artists. The compensation for real artists comes from a single pool, and the more money fraudsters siphon off, the less remains for genuine musicians [1][2][3]. Deezer has therefore taken steps to minimise the impact. The company has implemented an AI detection tool and labelled AI-generated music, ensuring this content is excluded from algorithmic recommendations and editorial playlists [1][2][3].
Measures Taken by Deezer
Deezer is committed to promoting transparency and fairness. The company has decided to label AI-generated music and remove this content from algorithmic recommendations and editorial playlists [1][2][3]. Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier emphasises: ‘We want to lead the way in minimising any negative impact on artists and fans.’ The goal is to minimise the impact on the royalty pool and prevent fraud [1][2][3].
Reactions from the Music Industry
The rapid growth of AI-generated music has also sparked reactions within the music industry. According to the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), people in the music industry could lose up to 25% of their income to AI-generated music by 2028, potentially resulting in a global loss of €4 billion [5]. Notable artists such as Nick Cave and Paul McCartney have expressed concerns about the future of human expression in music [5].
Practical Tips for Listeners
To identify AI-generated music, listeners can follow some practical tips. First and foremost, it is important to be wary of tracks that suddenly appear on profiles of well-known artists who have been deceased for years, such as the case with Blaze Foley [2]. Additionally, bots can often be identified by abnormally high streaming figures over a short period. Listeners can also check if an artist has an official website and whether there is recent news about new releases. Finally, it is advisable to listen to the quality and authenticity of the music; AI-generated music may sometimes lack human nuances [1][2][3].