Deezer opens its AI detection tool to other streaming platforms
Last year, Deezer launched an AI detection tool that automatically labels fully AI-generated music for listeners and removes it from algorithmic and editorial recommendations. On Thursday, the company announced it is making the tool available to other streaming platforms to help address the rise of AI and fraudulent streams, promote transparency in the music industry, and ensure human artists receive proper recognition.
Deezer also reported that 85% of streams from fully AI-generated tracks are considered fraudulent. The service now receives 60,000 AI tracks per day, totaling 13.4 million AI-detected songs. In June of last year, fully AI-generated music accounted for 18% of daily uploads, surpassing 20,000 tracks.
How Deezer's tool works
Deezer claims its AI music detection tool can identify every AI-generated track from major generative models like Suno and Udio. Beyond excluding AI-generated tracks from recommendations, the tool demonetizes them and excludes them from the royalty pool, aiming to fairly compensate musicians and songwriters. The tool's accuracy is reported to be 99.8%.
Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier stated there has been "great interest" in the tool, and several companies have "already performed successful tests." One such company is Sacem, the French management company representing over 300,000 music creators and publishers, including David Guetta and DJ Snake. Pricing details were not provided, as costs vary based on the type of deal.
Growing concerns and industry responses
There is increasing concern about AI companies using copyrighted material to train their models, as well as methods used to manipulate streaming systems and commit fraud. One notable instance occurred in 2024, when a North Carolina musician was charged by the Department of Justice with creating AI-generated songs and using bots to stream them billions of times, resulting in more than $10 million in stolen streaming royalties. AI bands like The Velvet Sundown have also gained millions of streams.
Bandcamp recently banned AI-generated music altogether, while Spotify updated its policy to address the rise of AI tracks, clarify AI use in production, reduce spam, and prohibit unauthorized voice clones. In contrast, major record labels have resolved lawsuits with Suno and Udio, appearing to embrace AI-generated music. Last fall, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group struck deals with these AI startups to license their music catalogs, ensuring artists and songwriters are compensated when their work is used to train AI models.
In 2024, Deezer became the first music streaming platform to sign the global statement on AI training, joining actors and other creatives. Its latest decision to sell its detection tool may set a precedent for other platforms to take similar actions to defend human artists and combat fraud.
