Have you ever wondered how much of the music you’re streaming these days is made by a human… or a machine? If you use Deezer, there’s a good chance you’re hearing songs that were created entirely by artificial intelligence. Yup—Deezer just dropped a stat that’s got the music world talking: 18% of all songs uploaded to their platform are fully AI-generated.
That’s nearly 1 in 5 tracks, and the number is rising fast.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it could mean for the future of music and artists.
Wait, 20,000 AI Songs a Day? Seriously?
Yes, really. According to Deezer, over 20,000 new AI-generated tracks are uploaded to the platform every single day. That’s almost double what it was just four months ago. And with AI tools becoming more advanced and accessible, it’s not hard to imagine that number going even higher soon.
Aurelien Herault, Deezer’s Chief Innovation Officer, said it bluntly: “AI-generated content continues to flood streaming platforms like Deezer and we see no sign of it slowing down.”
So what is Deezer doing about it? They’ve actually built a detection tool, launched earlier this year, to help identify which songs are fully AI-generated. This tool also makes sure those tracks aren’t prioritized in algorithmic recommendations for Deezer’s 9.7 million subscribers.
What’s the Big Deal with AI Music?
At first glance, AI-generated music might seem like a cool, futuristic novelty. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see it’s sparking some serious controversy.
Why? Well, many of these AI systems are trained using copyrighted music—often without getting permission or paying the original artists. That’s led to a growing number of lawsuits from major music labels like Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music.
Their targets? AI music tools like Suno and Udio. These platforms can create songs that sound eerily human, but according to the lawsuits, they allegedly did it by learning from real artists’ recordings—without consent. We’re talking big names here, like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Ed Sheeran.
To make matters even more interesting, Deezer says its AI-detection tool can now identify music generated by Suno and Udio, which is a step toward transparency—but doesn’t solve the bigger legal questions.
What Do Artists Think About All This?
Not surprisingly, many musicians aren’t thrilled. Last year, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Stevie Wonder, and dozens of other artists signed an open letter warning about the risks of AI in music. They say using AI to replicate their sound could “sabotage creativity” and push human talent to the sidelines.
And honestly, that’s a fair concern. If anyone can create a song in the style of a Grammy-winning artist without paying them a dime, how do real musicians survive? How do they stay motivated to innovate?
It’s Not Just Music—Hollywood’s Feeling the Pressure Too
This issue isn’t confined to your Spotify or Deezer playlists. The film industry is wrestling with the same AI invasion. This year’s Academy Awards were full of movies that used AI in editing, production, or even scriptwriting—and it stirred up a storm of debate.
And remember 2023? That was the year Hollywood screenwriters and actors went on strike, demanding better protections against AI replacing their jobs. Clearly, this isn’t a passing trend. It’s a major shift.
So… What Happens Next?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Can we find a balance between innovation and fairness?
AI is undeniably changing the creative landscape. Tools like Suno, Udio, and others are lowering the barriers to music creation. But as platforms like Deezer see more and more AI content flood in, we’ll need better ways to protect the people whose work made this all possible—the artists.
What do you think? Would you knowingly listen to an AI-generated track? Does it matter if the song slaps, even if no human made it? Or do we risk losing something essential when machines take over the mic?
