As AI-generated music floods streaming platforms, questions bubble over whether listeners are owed more transparency.

A survey published last week suggested 97% of respondents could not spot an AI-generated song. But there are some telltale signs - if you know where to look.

Here’s a quick guide …

  • No live performances or social media presence

  • ‘A mashup of rock hits in a blender’

A song with a formulaic feel - sweet but without much substance or emotional weight - can be a sign of AI, says the musician and technology speaker, as well as vocals that feel breathless.

  • ‘AI hasn’t felt heartbreak yet’

“AI hasn’t felt heartbreak yet… It knows patterns,” he explains. “What makes music human is not just sound but the stories behind it.”

  • Steps toward transparency

In January, the streaming platform Deezer launched an AI detection tool, followed this summer by a system which tags AI-generated music.

  • the_q@lemmy.zipEnglish
    672·
    1 day ago

    Lol this is how pop music is created with formulaic, focus group approved garbage over engineered to be the most palatable and sell well.

          • tomiant@piefed.socialEnglish
            21·
            8 hours ago

            By a very thin margin, but yes. I’d rather listen to AI slop than the Human slop they try to pass for music these days.

            Edit: Ah shit, I realized though that we are just gonna get talentless pop stars using AI instead. So both dog AND cat shit at the same time.

            Brave new world.

            • Krompus@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              4 hours ago

              literally 1984

              But also there is still lots of good human music being created, I guess it’s passing under your radar. Ask around, browse Bandcamp, listen to radio (hint: it’s not just local now, check out Radio Garden).

      • tomiant@piefed.socialEnglish
        5·
        6 hours ago

        Hahah he didn’t exactly write according to a formula. That’s like saying “yeah jimi hendrix is pretty formulaic, because he just plays guitar, with a limited number of chords and strings.”

        Edit: On second thought, the above is not a fair comparison at all, and there is a point to the mathematical nature of Bach, I just couldn’t express it in a coherent and snarky way at the same time.