Spotify makes new changes as AI-generated music floods streaming platforms

Spotify is introducing an AI Persona badge to help listeners identify artist profiles that may represent AI-generated identities. The move comes as AI-generated music continues to grow on streaming platforms and raises new questions around authenticity.Spotify will start showing an AI Persona badge in September. (Photo: Unsplash))AI-generated music is becoming harder to distinguish from music created by real artists. Spotify has already introduced a badge to help listeners identify verified human artists, and now the platform is taking another step to address the growing presence of AI-generated music.The company is introducing an “AI Persona” badge for artist profiles that appear to represent AI-generated identities. Spotify says the badge will help listeners understand when an artist profile may not represent a real person, as AI-generated music and virtual artists become more common on streaming platforms.The move is part of Spotify’s broader push to make it easier for listeners to understand who is behind the music they are hearing.How Spotify will label AI artist profilesStarting in mid-September, Spotify will begin showing the AI Persona badge on relevant artist profiles, in search results and on track rows across playlists. The company says artists can voluntarily disclose that their profile represents an AI Persona through Spotify for Artists. But Spotify will not rely only on artists telling the platform that they are AI-generated. The company says it will also review artist profiles and look for public identities that appear to represent photorealistic AI-generated people.Initially, Spotify will focus on profiles that have crossed certain audience thresholds, which the company says will allow the labels to cover the vast majority of artist profiles that users visit. If Spotify applies the badge itself, the artist will be notified and given an opportunity to either disclose their AI identity or appeal the decision. Spotify says the badge is specifically about the identity of the artist, not whether AI was used to make the music.That distinction is important. An actual human artist can use AI to help create a song and still remain a real artist. Spotify already has AI Credits that allow musicians to tell listeners how AI was used during the creation of a track.AI artists won't get recommended by defaultSpotify says music from AI Personas will not be included in its editorial or algorithmic recommendations by default. However, users can still encounter or listen to their music, including if they choose to follow an AI Persona.The company says its recommendation systems are focused on promoting authentic artists who are building careers in music. The AI Persona badge is the latest addition to Spotify's growing set of tools aimed at improving transparency. These include Verified by Spotify, AI Credits, SongDNA, Artist Details and Artist Profile Protection.The company says these measures are designed to help listeners understand not only how a song was made, but also who is actually behind the artist profile.- EndsPublished On: Aug 12, 2026 16:20 IST