Deezer is opening up its AI music detection tool to rival streaming services, including Spotify, in a bid to tackle the flood of synthetic tracks.
The French platform confirmed that 85% of AI-generated streams are now demonetised, ensuring royalties are redirected to human artists. However, the rollout faces a setback that Spotify has already addressed, raising questions about how effective the tool will be across the industry.
The detection system, launched last year, is now commercially available to competitors. The tool automatically tags fully AI-generated tracks, removes them from algorithmic recommendations, and flags fraudulent streams.
According to Deezer, the platform currently receives around 60,000 AI tracks per day, totalling 13.4 million detected songs in 2025. The company claims its system can identify music produced by major generative models such as Suno and Udio, which have been responsible for much of the surge in synthetic uploads.
The move comes as streaming services grapple with the rise of AI-generated content. Spotify, for instance, introduced measures last year to crack down on spammy uploads, but placed responsibility on artists to disclose AI use.
Deezer’s approach is more aggressive, automatically tagging and demonetising tracks deemed fraudulent. Up to 85% of AI streams are excluded from royalty pools, which Deezer argues is necessary to protect fair payments for musicians and songwriters.
However, one challenge remains. While Deezer’s tool is effective at flagging synthetic tracks, it struggles with hybrid compositions that blend human and AI elements.
Spotify has already faced this issue and implemented policies to handle partial AI involvement, something Deezer’s system has yet to fully resolve. This limitation could hinder adoption by rivals who require more nuanced detection capabilities.
The broader context is clear: AI-generated music is no longer a niche experiment but a mainstream flood. Platforms like Deezer are under pressure to maintain transparency and protect artists’ livelihoods.
For listeners, the tool promises cleaner recommendations and fewer low-quality “AI slop” tracks cluttering playlists. For the industry, it signals a shift towards collective responsibility, as rivals like Spotify now have the option to integrate Deezer’s technology rather than build their own.
Streaming services are increasingly judged not just on catalogue size but on quality control and fairness. Deezer’s decision to share its detection tool could mark a turning point, encouraging industry-wide standards. However, until hybrid detection improves, the debate over how to balance innovation with fairness will continue.
