Why Spotify won't let you filter out AI music

Cedrik Sixtus, a software developer from Leipzig, has devised a tool that blocks AI-generated music on Spotify, successfully filtering out more than 4,700 artists suspected of being AI-created. He calls on Spotify to implement labeling and filtering for AI content but cautions that his tool might violate Spotify's terms of service. In April 2025, Spotify experimented with a feature that indicates AI involvement in song credits, although participation is optional. Robert Prey from Oxford University highlights the difficulty Spotify faces in maintaining a balance between music creation principles and user trust. Meanwhile, Deezer identifies AI-generated albums and omits them from recommendations, and Apple Music rolled out transparency tags in March 2025. Critics contend that voluntary systems lack reliability. Starting August 2026, the EU AI Act will require labeling for specific AI-generated content. Spotify has also introduced features like SongDNA to support human artistry.