A surge in AI-made music
Back in January, Deezer reported that around 10% of all music on its platform was AI-generated. By April, the figure had climbed to 18%, and by September it reached a record 28% — meaning more than one in four songs you stream on Deezer may have been created entirely by algorithms.
This rapid rise shows just how quickly AI-generated music is moving into the mainstream, as more creators and distributors feed synthetic tracks into streaming services.
Deezer’s response: Detection and Transparency
Deezer has been preparing for this wave since 2023 with an AI detection tool designed to spot and label synthetic content. But the company is also taking steps to limit the effect of fully AI-generated uploads on the listening experience and on artist payments.
Alexis Lanternier, CEO of Deezer, explains:
“Our approach is simple: we remove fully AI-generated content from algorithmic recommendations and we don’t include it in editorial playlists. This way we ensure the impact on the royalty pool remains minimal, while providing a transparent user experience. And most importantly, we continue to fight fraudulent activity, which is the main driver behind uploading fully AI-generated content.”
For everyday listeners, that means Deezer wants to keep editorial playlists and recommendation engines focused on human-made music, while still allowing AI songs to exist on the platform for those who actively search them out.
Why It Matters for Listeners
- Choice: You may now find AI-generated tracks in the catalogue — but less likely in curated playlists.
- Quality: Some AI tracks sound convincing, others less so; separating them helps maintain standards.
- Trust: Deezer is positioning transparency as a key part of the user experience.
A Wider Trend in Streaming
Deezer’s statistics mirror what’s happening across the wider music industry:
- AI tools are more accessible than ever, from free online apps to professional suites.
- Uploads are accelerating, from lo-fi beats to full-scale pop and EDM tracks.
- Artists and labels are pressing for clarity, asking platforms to prevent AI from overwhelming human creativity.
Other streaming platforms are watching closely. With more than a quarter of new uploads already AI-generated, how they respond will shape the trust listeners place in streaming.
The Bottom Line
Deezer’s disclosure makes one thing clear: AI is no longer a fringe element in music streaming — it’s already a major part of the catalogue.
For consumers, it raises a simple but important question: when you press play, do you know if the song you’re hearing was made by a human, or by an algorithm?
