8. 10. 2025 | Natalie Bezděková

0

• Share with others    

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been transforming nearly every industry — from writing and visual arts to music production. But alongside innovation comes exploitation. A shocking new case from the United States reveals how AI can also become a powerful tool for fraud. Michael Smith, a 52-year-old from Cornelius, North Carolina, allegedly used AI to create one of the most audacious music scams in recent history.

According to investigators, Smith used artificial intelligence to automatically generate hundreds of thousands of songs, which he then uploaded to major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. These tracks weren’t genuine artistic creations but algorithmically produced sound files — music without emotion, meaning, or human touch.

To turn this digital noise into cash, Smith allegedly built an army of bots programmed to continuously “listen” to his own AI-generated tracks. Since streaming services pay royalties based on the number of plays, this tactic artificially boosted the numbers and made it appear as if Smith’s songs were being widely streamed. As a result, he reportedly earned more than $10 million in royalties from these fake listens.

The case highlights a growing concern for the music industry’s integrity in the age of AI. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music rely on authentic content and real listener engagement. But as AI-generated music becomes more sophisticated and easier to produce, the line between genuine art and artificial noise is becoming dangerously blurred. While a real musician might spend days or weeks creating a single track, a simple AI model can now generate thousands of songs in just one day.

Experts warn that such practices could devastate independent artists who struggle to compete in a system flooded with automatically generated content. Beyond the financial implications, it also erodes public trust in digital music platforms. In response, streaming services are reportedly developing advanced detection systems to identify fraudulent streams and AI-generated content — but the technology of scammers is evolving just as fast.

The story of Michael Smith is more than just a case of financial fraud; it’s a wake-up call for the future of creativity. As AI continues to blur the boundaries between human and machine-made art, society will have to decide how to regulate, protect, and preserve genuine artistic expression in the digital era.

Photo source: www.pexels.com

Natalie Bezděková

I am a student of Master's degree in Political Science. I am interested in marketing, especially copywriting and social media. I also focus on political and social events at home and abroad and technological innovations. My free time is filled with sports, reading and a passion for travel.