Bandcamp blocks music generated wholly or largely by AI

Ars Technica
Ars Technica
54m ago
Bandcamp announced a new policy that bans music and audio generated wholly or in substantial part by AI, while also prohibiting AI impersonation of other artists or styles.
Bandcamp blocks music generated wholly or largely by AI
A What happened
Bandcamp announced on Reddit that it will no longer permit music and audio generated wholly or in substantial part by AI on its platform. The policy also prohibits any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles. Bandcamp asked users to flag suspected AI-generated content and said it reserves the right to remove music on suspicion of being AI generated. The policy contrasts with Spotify, which permits AI-generated music and focuses enforcement on impersonation, spam, and deception.

Key insights

  • 1

    Bandcamp’s policy targets full automation rather than all AI tool use: Bandcamp’s policy targets music generated wholly or in substantial part by AI while leaving room for human artists who incorporate AI tools into a larger creative process.

  • 2

    Enforcement depends on user reports and internal review: Bandcamp asked users to flag suspected AI-generated content and said its team would review flagged submissions, without specifying detection tools or methods.

  • 3

    Spotify’s approach emphasizes anti-spam and anti-deception controls: Spotify permits AI-generated music and focuses enforcement on impersonation, spam, and deception, including removals tied to streaming fraud and spam tracks.

Takeaways

Bandcamp has implemented a ban on music generated wholly or largely by AI and plans to enforce it through user flagging and internal review, with possible future policy updates.

Topics

Technology & Innovation Artificial Intelligence World & Politics Policy & Regulation

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