Music needs a human component to be of any value': Guardian readers on the growing use of AI in music

"AI-generated music is flooding streaming platforms, and it seems to be here to stay. Last month, three AI songs reached the highest spots on Spotify and Billboard charts. Jorja Smith's label has called for her to receive a share of royalties from a song thought to have trained its original AI-generated vocals on her catalogue, which were later re-recorded by a human singer."

"I have already found AI songs being added into jazz playlists and radio stations on Spotify. There was one song I actually liked, so I did some digging and found out it was a group with a generic name that had around three to five albums all released in 2025. Then I noticed the next track and the track followed the same path. It was really irksome."

"History, I hope, shows that people do value human flaws in art. Sometimes it helps us feel seen or not alone. I don't understand how a completely computer-generated sound based on what's come before could do that. Then again, some people fall in love with LLMs. I just think everything should be labelled somehow. Give people the choice."

"There's no heart in music generated entirely by AI, and encouraging it is hurting the livelihoods of musicians. It is also very important not to call music made by AI composed. That word gives AI prompters far more credit and muddies the waters as to what composition is. The only people served by AI music are companies like Spotify, and major record labels who would no doubt rather not have to pay artists at all."

AI-generated music is increasingly appearing on major streaming platforms and charting highly. Some AI songs reached top positions on Spotify and Billboard, and labels have sought royalties when AI vocals were trained on an artist's catalogue then re-recorded by humans. Listeners report AI tracks appearing in playlists and radio stations under generic artist names and mass-released albums. Many express that fully computer-generated music lacks emotional depth and human flaws that create connection. Advocates call for clear labeling, consumer filtering options, and protections to prevent harm to musicians' livelihoods and ensure fair compensation from platforms and labels.

Read at www.theguardian.com