Deezer Says 18% Of Uploaded Tracks Are Fully AI-Generated, Raising Industry Concerns

French music streaming platform Deezer revealed on Wednesday that approximately 18% of songs uploaded to its service are entirely generated by artificial intelligence—highlighting the technology's rapidly expanding footprint in the creative industry amid ongoing copyright and compensation debates.

According to Deezer, a detection tool launched in January is helping the platform identify and filter fully AI-generated content from algorithmic recommendations delivered to its 9.7 million subscribers. Deezer’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, Stephane Herault, noted that the tool plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of music discovery on the platform.

The rise of generative AI in music and other creative fields has sparked a wave of legal challenges. Major labels—including Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music—have filed lawsuits against AI music startups Suno and Udio, accusing them of mass copyright infringement. The companies allegedly trained their generative models on copyrighted music without proper authorization or compensation, impacting artists such as Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Ed Sheeran.

Deezer confirmed that its detection system is capable of identifying audio outputs from Suno and Udio, further reinforcing its stance on responsible content management.

The controversy extends beyond the music world. In 2023, a group of prominent artists including Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, and Stevie Wonder signed an open letter warning that AI-generated music, when trained on existing artists' work, could "sabotage creativity" and push human musicians to the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Hollywood is also grappling with AI’s influence. This year's Academy Awards saw debate over the use of AI tools in the production of several Best Picture-nominated films. The concerns echoed last year’s high-profile strikes by writers and actors, who demanded stronger safeguards against the unchecked use of artificial intelligence in film and television.

As AI technology continues to evolve, platforms like Deezer—and the wider entertainment industry—face growing pressure to balance innovation with ethical and legal accountability.