Bandcamp has banned music “generated wholly or in substantial part by AI,” the platform announced today, also prohibiting the use of AI tools to mimic artists or musical styles.
A Stand Against Synthetic sounds
The music marketplace is taking a firm stance against artificial intelligence in music creation, aiming to preserve the human element in its catalog.
The decision arrives amid growing concerns about the proliferation of music created by artificial intelligence online. Bandcamp’s policy directly addresses the issue, stating that music and audio created primarily by artificial intelligence is no longer permitted on the site. This means that artists relying heavily on AI for composition or performance will be unable to distribute their work through the platform.
What makes Bandcamp’s approach different? Unlike some streaming services, Bandcamp is enacting a complete ban on AI-generated content, rather than simply requiring disclosures or focusing solely on preventing impersonation.
The announcement comes after a notable increase in music acts created by artificial intelligence gaining traction last year. Perhaps the most prominent example was “The Velvet Sundown,” a supposed psych-rock band that,despite not actually existing,amassed over 400,000 monthly listeners on another streaming platform at its peak. while listenership has since dropped to around 160,000, the incident highlighted the potential for AI to flood the music landscape with unremarkable content. One could even argue that Wolfmother in 2005 sounded similarly indistinct, tho generative AI didn’t exist then.
Bandcamp’s approach contrasts with that of other major streaming services. Spotify, while generally lenient, has announced plans for AI disclosures,perhaps mirroring Steam’s approach with “industry-standard credits.” Apple Music also prohibits AI-generated impersonations,but has been less forthcoming with details about its overall policy.
The move is being lauded as a bold step to protect artists and maintain the integrity of the platform. However, it’s likely the “wholly or in substantial part” clause will face scrutiny as AI technology evolves. Spotify has faced criticism for low royalty payouts and algorithmic practices, but also for being saturated with AI-created filler, and, reportedly, for using production companies to populate playlists with generic music designed to minimize payouts to genuine artists.
Bandcamp’s independence was secured when it exited a brief period under Epic Games in 2023. This autonomy may have been crucial in enabling the platform to implement such a decisive policy. Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney recently dismissed the need for AI disclosures, and in November defended the use of AI-generated voices in Arc raiders.
As one observer noted last week, it’s not unreasonable to expect transparency regarding AI’s role in creative works. Another commentator argued that actively challenging the overuse of AI is vital to preserving the quality and originality of art.
