Spotify introduces AI Persona badges to flag AI-generated artists

Spotify is set to introduce new labels for AI-generated artist identities from mid-September, allowing listeners to distinguish between real human artists and AI-generated personas.

The streaming platform announced on Tuesday, August 11, that an “AI Persona” badge will appear on some artist profiles, in search results and alongside tracks in playlists.

The move is aimed at increasing transparency and trust as generative AI becomes more prevalent in the music industry.

“True artist-fan connection can only be built on a foundation of trust and authenticity,” Spotify said, adding that listeners “need to be able to trust that the artist behind the music is who they say they are.”

The AI Persona badge will indicate that an artist’s identity may be AI-generated and does not represent a real person.

Artists will be able to disclose through Spotify for Artists that their profiles represent AI personas. However, the platform said it will not rely solely on self-disclosure.

“We hope artists will be transparent, so we are giving them the opportunity to disclose, but we won’t rely on self-disclosure alone,” the company said.

Spotify will also review artist profiles and identify those whose public identity, including their name and imagery, appears to represent a photorealistic AI-generated identity.

Artists whose profiles are flagged by Spotify’s review team will be notified and given an opportunity to disclose their status or appeal the decision.

Listeners will also be able to report artist profiles they believe represent AI personas, with the feature expected to become available in the coming months.

Spotify said music from AI personas will not be included in its editorial or algorithmic recommendations by default, unless a user follows them.

The company stressed that the new badge is intended to identify an artist’s identity, rather than determine whether AI was used to create the music.

“This badge is about the artist’s public identity, not about how the music was made,” Spotify said.

The new labels are part of Spotify’s wider efforts to improve transparency, alongside its Verified by Spotify feature and Artist Profile Protection.