Most listeners can no longer reliably tell the difference between music created by humans and music generated by artificial intelligence. A recent global survey reveals widespread unease as AI music floods streaming platforms, with nearly all respondents unable to identify AI-generated songs in blind listening tests.
The Blurring Lines
The study, conducted by Deezer and Ipsos across 9,000 adults in eight countries, found that 97% of participants failed to differentiate between human-composed music and AI-created tracks. This inability to distinguish underscores the rapid advancement of AI in music production. Over 70% of those surveyed were surprised by their own failure, while more than half (52%) expressed discomfort at the indistinguishability.
Listener Sentiment: Curiosity and Caution
Despite widespread skepticism, a significant portion of respondents (approximately two-thirds) indicated curiosity and willingness to sample AI-generated music at least once. However, an overwhelming majority (80%) believe that AI-produced tracks should be clearly labeled as such, suggesting a demand for transparency.
Additional survey findings reveal a mixed outlook:
- 46% believe AI will enhance music discovery.
- 51% fear AI will degrade music quality.
- 45% would actively filter out AI music from their streaming services.
- 70% fear AI threatens the livelihoods of musicians.
The Rise of AI in Music Production
This growing indistinguishability comes as the music industry increasingly embraces AI. Streaming giants like Spotify have partnered with major labels to develop AI music products, while Deezer itself receives approximately 50,000 AI-generated tracks daily. This influx has already led to AI-powered acts, such as Breaking Rust, charting on Billboard’s country music lists.
Industry Concerns and Solutions
The debate extends beyond listeners and artists. Music instrument manufacturers, like Roland, are also weighing in. Paul McCabe, Senior VP of Research & Innovation at Roland, argues that AI should augment human creativity, not replace it. The company supports transparent labeling of AI music and is collaborating on technologies to verify music provenance.
“Listeners should be alerted when they’re hearing AI-generated material in their music…We are working on solutions to confirm the origin and ownership of music.”
The inability to distinguish between AI and human-made music signals a profound shift in the industry. The future will likely hinge on how transparently AI music is labeled, and how well the industry protects the value of human creativity.
