The New Zealand singer has called on Spotify to let artists opt out of its AI-generated “About the Song” feature after it published inaccurate information about one of her tracks.
New Zealand pop star Lorde has publicly criticized Spotify over its artificial intelligence-powered “About the Song” feature after it generated inaccurate information about one of her songs, reigniting concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content in the music industry.
The controversy emerged after Spotify’s experimental AI feature, currently being tested with a limited number of users, displayed an incorrect explanation of one of Lorde’s songs and its live performance history.
According to the singer, the AI-generated summary mistakenly attributed details from a different performance, creating an inaccurate description of the song’s meaning and stage presentation.
Lorde shared a screenshot of the feature on her Instagram Story, expressing frustration over the mistake and questioning whether listeners wanted AI-generated interpretations embedded directly into the music streaming experience.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say we don’t want this,” the singer wrote.
AI Feature Faces Scrutiny
Spotify introduced the “About the Song” feature earlier this year as part of a limited beta rollout.
The tool uses artificial intelligence to collect information from third-party online sources and generate background summaries about songs, including their inspiration, lyrics, production, and live performances.
In Lorde’s case, the AI reportedly sourced information from an Australian music website but incorrectly linked details from one live performance to an entirely different song.
The singer argued that the feature not only presented false information but also reduced the personal and open-ended nature of music by offering AI-generated interpretations directly to listeners.
She urged Spotify to allow artists to opt out of the feature if they do not want AI-generated descriptions associated with their work.
Growing Concerns Over AI in Music
Lorde’s criticism reflects broader concerns within the entertainment industry over the increasing use of artificial intelligence in creative fields.
Many artists have warned that AI-generated content can introduce factual errors, misrepresent artistic intent, and undermine the relationship between creators and audiences.
The debate has intensified as technology companies continue integrating AI into music discovery, recommendation systems, and editorial features.
Earlier this year, Grammy-winning singer SZA also voiced concerns about artificial intelligence, saying she felt she was competing not with fellow musicians but with a growing culture of relying on automated tools rather than human creativity.
SZA argued that while AI can generate content based on existing information, it cannot replicate the lived experiences, emotions, and originality that shape an artist’s work.
AI Accuracy Under the Spotlight
The incident has renewed discussion about the need for stronger quality controls in AI-generated content, particularly on platforms used by millions of people worldwide.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into digital services, artists and creators continue to call for greater transparency, improved accuracy, and more control over how AI is used to present information about their work.
Spotify has not publicly responded to Lorde’s criticism or indicated whether it plans to modify the feature or introduce an artist opt-out option.
