Singer Emily Portman demonstrates pirated AI-generated fake albums, which is causing controversy over the falsities within the art and music industries and the need to create fraudulent security.

Recently award-winning folk singer Emily Portman discovered that fake albums were uploaded in her name on Spotify and iTunes, bringing about new discussions about the inappropriateness of using AI in art and music. The AI-produced album, Orca, had vaguely similar music to her, and the titles of the songs and their instrumentation also resembled her music.

Portman, a BBC Folk Award recipient, called the experience distressing and said there is a need to be more creative in art and music. She has since submitted copyright spacings to withdraw the false charges but says that streaming sites such as Spotify were late to respond.

The issue is not isolated. American artists like Josh Kaufman and Wilco singer Jeff Tweedy have also experienced this issue, with their names appearing on released AI-generated songs. Even dead musicians like Blaze Foley have been erroneously given credit for new music. Industry observers caution that scammers are increasingly targeting individual artists to help themselves avoid detection.

Streaming platforms have committed to reinforced protection, setting up, in many cases, their own AI tools to identify fraudulent uploads. However, artists are afraid that unmonitored impersonation will rob a level of trust in digital tools and the authenticity of art and music.

The encounter has only forced Portman to hold on to the perception of real artistry. She is already recording her first solo album in a decade and is adamant about presenting some real music to the world.