Deezer Overwhelmed by AI Music: A Challenge for Streaming

A Spectacular Increase in AI Tracks on Deezer

Deezer, one of the leaders in music streaming, is facing a massive wave of music generated by artificial intelligence. Currently, 44% of daily downloads on the platform come from AI, representing about 75,000 new tracks each day. This figure has exploded compared to the previous year, when only 10,000 AI tracks were added daily.

To address this situation, Deezer has implemented a patented detection tool capable of identifying and labeling tracks generated by popular AI models such as Suno and Udio. Since January 2025, this tool has reported over 13.4 million AI tracks. Deezer has also begun licensing this technology to other companies in the music industry, further solidifying its position as a pioneer in AI music detection.

Challenges of Detection and Labeling

A survey commissioned by Deezer and conducted by Ipsos, involving 9,000 participants, revealed that 97% of those tested could not distinguish AI-generated music from that created by humans during a blind test. Despite this difficulty, 80% of respondents expressed a desire for AI tracks to be clearly labeled, and 52% preferred that they not appear in regular charts.

Deezer has taken steps to limit the impact of AI music on its platform. Detected tracks are removed from algorithmic recommendations and editorial playlists. As a result, AI music accounts for only 1 to 3% of total listens on Deezer. However, 85% of these listens come from bots, used to manipulate streams and siphon royalties.

Industry Reactions to Streaming Fraud

AI-driven streaming fraud has become a serious issue. A notable case in the United States saw a man from North Carolina plead guilty to using AI tracks and bots to collect over eight million dollars in royalties. This case illustrates how lucrative stream manipulation can be.

In response to these challenges, the music industry is reacting in various ways. Bandcamp has banned AI-generated music on its platform, while Apple Music is relying on voluntary transparency labels, where labels and distributors are expected to self-report AI content. Additionally, a Rolling Stone investigation revealed that some producers and songwriters are discreetly using AI generators, fearing negative public backlash. Mikey Shulman, CEO of Suno, compared his tool to the "Ozempic" of the music industry: widely used but rarely discussed publicly.