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How AI-generated Tracks are Exploiting Streaming Platforms’ Royalty Systems | Bloomberg Businessweek
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June 12, 2026
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Eighty-five percent of recorded music revenue in the U.S. now flows through streaming, and 100,000 AI-generated tracks are being uploaded to those platforms every single day. Because royalties come from a shared pool divided by total streams, every AI track added dilutes what human artists get paid. Napster was about unauthorized distribution — taking music without paying for it. AI goes further: it uses recorded performances to generate competing content that can displace the originals entirely. AI isn't the only threat to the royalty pool — AM/FM radio has operated the same way for decades, playing music without paying performers a cent. The American Music Fairness Act would close that loophole; session musicians, backup singers, and studio players deserve to be paid, the same way every streaming and satellite service already does. And the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world that doesn't require broadcasters to pay performers, so American artists forfeit overseas royalties that end up flowing to foreign artists instead. AMFA would fix that and keep American earnings in American pockets.
For more on AI generated music, Carol and Tim Stenovec spoke with Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, the organization designated by the U.S. government to administer digital performance royalties.
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Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec bring together the latest news from the world of business and finance and the interesting stories of global technology, politics, economics and more by harnessing the power of Bloomberg Businessweek reporters and editors.
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