Lorde Criticizes Spotify's AI 'About the Song' Feature Over Inaccuracy
The singer called out the beta tool on Instagram after it shared incorrect information about a track from her recent tour.
Lorde has publicly criticized Spotify’s new AI-powered “About the Song” feature. The singer called out the streaming service on Instagram after the beta tool shared inaccurate information about the context of one of her tracks.
According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Lorde posted a screenshot of the AI-generated text on her Instagram Story. The feature, which is currently in limited beta, appeared to have pulled information from a third-party website, incorrectly describing a specific performance from her recent Ultrasound tour. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say we don’t want this,” Lorde wrote.
What did Lorde say about the AI feature?
In her post, Lorde took issue with both the factual error and the broader implication of the tool. “Not only is this inaccurate (not the song i did that in) but reducing a song to an ai generated meaning right at the source feels like it limits free interpretation imo,” she wrote. She concluded her critique with a direct request to the platform: “At least make it possible for artists to opt out please.”
How did Spotify respond?
When asked for comment, a Spotify spokesperson confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that “the text has been removed.” The spokesperson described “About the Song” as “a beta feature that presents cited information from third-party sources,” adding, “We’re continuing to improve it based on feedback from artists and fans.” The feature was released to a limited set of users in February.
Lorde’s comment highlights ongoing sensitivity around AI among artists. Other major figures, like SZA, have expressed similar concerns about artificial intelligence in creative spaces earlier this year. The incident also mirrors challenges faced by other tech companies, where AI data-scrapers can pull from a wide range of sources, sometimes leading to errors in the information presented.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spotify's 'About the Song' feature?
It's an AI tool currently in beta that compiles additional information and context about individual tracks by scraping data from third-party sources. It was released to a limited number of users in February.
Has the incorrect information about Lorde's song been removed?
Yes. A Spotify spokesperson confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the text in question has been removed from the platform.
What was Lorde's main criticism beyond the factual error?
Lorde argued that placing an AI-generated interpretation of a song's meaning directly at the source on Spotify inherently limits how listeners can freely interpret the art for themselves.
Have other artists expressed concerns about AI?
Yes. The report notes that SZA has also spoken out about feeling "at war" with AI, viewing it as a threat to the unique human experience that informs creativity.
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