Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has defended the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music, stating that the technology has valid applications but should not be used to impersonate human artists without their consent. While Ek acknowledged the ongoing debate surrounding the use of AI in music, he categorised its use into three buckets: tools such as auto-tune that improve music, which he deems acceptable; tools that mimic artists, which he finds unacceptable; and a middle ground where AI-created music is influenced by existing artists but doesn’t directly impersonate them. Although AI is not banned in all forms on the Spotify platform, the company prohibits its content from being used to train machine learning or AI models for music production.
Earlier this year, Spotify made headlines when it pulled a track featuring AI-cloned voices of Drake and The Weeknd after the artists were not aware of the song’s creation. Ek highlighted the need to tackle issues like impersonation, stating that the company has a large team dedicated to addressing these challenges. The debate around AI in music has prompted artists to voice their concerns, with Irish musician Hozier recently expressing reservations about whether AI meets the definition of art.
In addition to discussing AI in music, Ek addressed Spotify’s significant investment in podcasts. Despite high-profile deals with figures like Barack and Michelle Obama and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Ek acknowledged that some investments in podcasts had not yielded the expected results. The CEO also confirmed that Russell Brand’s podcast would remain on Spotify unless it breached the platform’s terms and conditions. Brand is currently under investigation for allegations of sexual assault.
During his visit to the UK, Ek discussed regulation and expressed support for the incoming Online Safety Bill, which aims to enhance internet safety for children, as well as the ongoing Digital Markets Bill, designed to promote competition by closely scrutinizing tech giants. Spotify has been critical of Apple and Google’s app stores, citing issues such as high commission fees and limited direct communication with customers.
Overall, while Ek defends the use of AI in certain contexts within music, he stresses the importance of consent and fairness in its application to avoid impersonation and deception. The ongoing debate surrounding AI in the creative industries highlights the need for clear guidelines and ethical standards to ensure the technology is used responsibly and in a manner that respects the rights and intentions of artists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What is the stance of Spotify CEO Daniel Ek on the use of AI in music?
Daniel Ek acknowledges the valid applications of AI in music but believes it should not be used to impersonate human artists without their consent.
How does Daniel Ek categorize the use of AI in music?
Ek categorizes the use of AI in music into three buckets: tools that improve music, such as auto-tune, which he deems acceptable; tools that mimic artists, which he finds unacceptable; and a middle ground where AI-created music is influenced by existing artists but doesn't directly impersonate them.
What is Spotify's policy regarding the use of AI on its platform?
While AI is not banned in all forms on Spotify, the company prohibits its content from being used to train machine learning or AI models for music production.
What incident prompted Spotify to take action regarding the use of AI-cloned voices?
Earlier this year, Spotify pulled a track featuring AI-cloned voices of Drake and The Weeknd after the artists were not aware of the song's creation.
How is Spotify addressing concerns over impersonation through AI in music?
Spotify has a large team dedicated to addressing challenges related to impersonation and is committed to tackling issues like unauthorized use of artists' voices.
What reservations have some artists expressed regarding the use of AI in music?
Some artists, like Irish musician Hozier, have expressed reservations about whether AI meets the definition of art in the context of music.
Besides discussing AI in music, what other topic did Daniel Ek address?
Daniel Ek addressed Spotify's significant investment in podcasts, acknowledging that some investments had not yielded the expected results.
Will Russell Brand's podcast remain on Spotify?
Russell Brand's podcast will remain on Spotify unless it breaches the platform's terms and conditions, despite Brand being under investigation for allegations of sexual assault.
What is Daniel Ek's stance on regulation in the tech industry?
Daniel Ek expressed support for the incoming Online Safety Bill aimed at enhancing internet safety for children and the ongoing Digital Markets Bill designed to promote competition and scrutinize tech giants.
What issues has Spotify raised regarding Apple and Google's app stores?
Spotify has criticized Apple and Google's app stores for issues such as high commission fees and limited direct communication with customers.
What ethical considerations does Daniel Ek emphasize in the use of AI in music?
Ek stresses the importance of consent and fairness in the application of AI to avoid impersonation and deception and calls for clear guidelines and ethical standards in the use of AI in the creative industries.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
