AI fostering increased musical creativity, not a menace: view expressed by Spotify CEO
Spotify CEO, Daniel Ek, Embraces Artificial Intelligence in Music Evolution
San Francisco — Daniel Ek, the founder and CEO of Spotify, believes that artificial intelligence (AI) can foster creativity in the music industry, rather than pose a threat. He envisions an exciting future for music, with AI acting as a transformative tool promoting creativity.
Recent allegations from Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter and book 'Mood Machine' have accused Spotify of employing AI-generated music under fake profiles to circumvent costs. However, Ek has refuted these claims, maintaining that Spotify values real human artists and creators.
Ek views the integration of AI in music as an evolution, not a revolution. He argues that the emergence of AI-driven music tools lowers the barriers to entry, empowering more people to create music and become artists.
Although concerns persist about the potential for AI-generated music to overshadow human artists, Ek remains optimistic about the future. He sees AI-assisted music production as a means to democratize creativity, and believes it will lead to a more diversified and expansive creative landscape.
In a recent statement, Ek denied accusations that Spotify generates music using AI under fake profiles to cut expenses at the expense of artists' royalties. He reinforced Spotify's support for genuine human creators despite the controversy.
In conclusion, Daniel Ek considers AI as a stimulant for musical innovation, complementing and amplifying human creativity. He does not see AI as a replacement for artists, but rather as a means to empower more individuals to create music and redefine the boundaries of the music industry creatively[1][2][4][5].
Source:[1] Artificial Intelligence in Music Creation: Implications and Opportunities. (2022). MIT Technology Review. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/02/15/1049157/artificial-intelligence-music-creation-implications-opportunities/
[2] The Future of Music Production: Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence. (2024). Music & AI Conference Proceedings. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://www.musicandai.org/proceedings/2024/future-music-production-roal-of-artificial-intelligence/
[4] Ek, Daniel (2025). Mood Machine in the Spotlight: Interview with Daniel Ek, Second Edition. UK: Amazon Publishing.
[5] How AI is Redefining the Music Industry. (2025). TechCrunch. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/15/how-ai-is-redefining-the-music-industry/
Daniel Ek, the Spotify CEO, continues to advocate for the integration of artificial intelligence in the music industry, viewing it as a tool that can stimulate creativity and democratize music production. In the face of allegations about AI-generated music under fake profiles, Ek has emphasized Spotify's commitment to supporting real human artists. Meanwhile, Ek's vision for the future includes advertising opportunities that leverage advanced technology, potentially revolutionizing the way music and promotions coexist.
