In a recent interview with BBC News, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek stated that the company does not plan to completely ban AI-generated music. While acknowledging that there are valid use cases for AI in music, such as auto-tune, Ek expressed the belief that the technology should not be used to impersonate an artist's voice.
Ek mentioned that there is a debatable middle ground where AI-generated music can be influenced by existing artists without directly mimicking them. He also acknowledged that the use of AI in the music industry will likely be a topic of debate for years to come.
Earlier this year, Spotify removed a viral AI-generated song that imitated the voices of Drake and The Weeknd. The song, titled "Heart on My Sleeve," gained significant popularity on TikTok and other platforms before being taken down by Spotify, as well as Apple Music and YouTube.
Various artists, including Ice Cube, have criticized AI-generated music. Ice Cube expressed his intention to take legal action against those responsible for creating and distributing AI-generated music in his style.
This is not the first time Ek has addressed concerns surrounding AI-generated content. During Spotify's first-quarter earnings call in April, he acknowledged that there are legitimate concerns raised by the copyright industry, labels, and media companies regarding topics such as name and likeness, copyright ownership, and misrepresentation of artists.
Overall, the use of AI in music remains a controversial topic, with valid arguments on both sides. While some see potential in AI-generated music, others raise concerns about artistic integrity and copyright issues. The debate surrounding this issue is expected to continue in the coming years.