Deezer’s AI music detection tool named to TIME’s list of Best Inventions of 2026

Jesper Wendel 5 min read
  • TIME recognition puts Deezer’s AI detection tool among 2026’s best inventions.
  • 90,000 AI-generated tracks reach Deezer daily, exceeding half of peak uploads.
  • 42 million tracks were removed from recommendations between January 2025 and August 2026.

Paris, October 15, 2026 – Deezer (Paris Euronext: DEEZR), the global music experiences platform, has been named to TIME’s list of the Best Inventions of 2026.  Announced today, the list features 300 extraordinary innovations changing our lives, including Deezer’s pioneering AI music detection tool. Read TIME’s profile of Deezer’s AI Music Detector.

“It’s a true honor for Deezer to be recognized by TIME, and to have our AI music detection tool included on the list of the Best Inventions of 2026,” said Alexis Lanternier, CEO of Deezer. “This accolade highlights how our research team was early to identify a pivotal issue facing the music industry, and the first to develop an effective solution to monitor it. The technology has given Deezer and the wider industry invaluable insights and a foundation for taking clear action. Thanks to this invention, Deezer was the first to label AI-generated music and exclude it from algorithmic recommendations, increasing transparency for users, and combatting streaming fraud that undermines payments to legitimate artists.”

What did TIME recognize about Deezer’s AI music detection?

To compile this year’s list, TIME solicited nominations from TIME editors and correspondents around the world, and through an online application process, paying special attention to growing fields, such as health care and AI. TIME then evaluated each contender on a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.

See the full list here: ti.me/best-inventions

Explore Deezer’s AI detection and its applications across the music ecosystem.

*** ENDS ***

Notes to editors: 

Deezer, is receiving nearly 90,000 fully AI-generated tracks every day, accounting for more than 50% of the total daily delivery on peak days. Deezer’s AI detection tool has been in place since the beginning of 2025, enabling the company to track a steady increase of fully synthetic content on the platform. In June, Deezer became the first (and so far only) music streaming platform to explicitly tag AI-generated music. Over 42 million AI-generated tracks were detected and removed from algorithmic and editorial recommendations, between January 2025 and August 2026. 

Deezer’s AI music detection tool sets an industry standard, with the ability to detect AI-generated music from the most prolific generative models, such as Suno, Udio and Rifussion, with the possibility to add detection capabilities for practically any other similar tool as long as there’s access to relevant data examples. Not only that, Deezer has made significant progress in creating a system with increased generalizability, to detect AI generated content without a specific dataset to train on. 

Deezer is now licensing its AI-detection tech, offering the wider music industry an option to support transparency and reduce the incentive for AI-music fraud. Visit https://business.deezer.com/ai-detection/ for more info.

AI and fraud – Although fully AI-generated music currently accounts for only a small fraction of streams on Deezer, between 1-3%, it’s evident that the primary purpose of uploading these tracks to streaming platforms is fraudulent. Deezer has found that up to 85% of the streams generated by fully AI-generated tracks were in fact fraudulent in 2025. When detecting stream manipulation of any kind, Deezer excludes the streams from the royalty payments.

AI is a critical challenge for the music industry – According to a study conducted by CISAC and PMP Strategy, with participation from key industry players (including Deezer), nearly 25% of creators’ revenues are at risk by 2028, which could amount to as much as €4 billion by that time. This represents a colossal, even critical, challenge for the music creation sector as a whole. https://www.cisac.org/services/reports-and-research/cisacpmp-strategy-ai-study 

AI tracks are removed from recommendations – Songs detected as AI-generated are automatically removed from algorithmic recommendations and are not included in editorial playlists. This  is a first step in making sure that these tracks don’t dilute the royalty pool in any significant way. Potential future actions, including updating our supplier policy and removing/demonetizing content need to be based on careful consideration. 

Two new patents – In December 2024, Deezer applied for two patents for its AI Detection technology, focused on two different methods of detecting unique signatures that are used to distinguish synthetic content from authentic content. The patents have been published by the EU and US patent offices in June, 2026.

Opinions on AI-music

In November 2025, Deezer commissioned the world’s first survey focused on perceptions and attitudes towards AI-generated music. The survey was carried out by Ipsos with a total of 9000 people in 8 countries, US, Canada, Brazil, UK, France, Netherlands, Germany and Japan. It revealed a clear desire for tagging AI-generated music and making sure artists and songwriters are being fairly treated and paid if their music is used to train AI-models. Key results included:

  • 97% couldn’t tell the difference between fully AI-generated music and human-made music in a blind test with two AI songs and one real song
  • 80%  agree that 100% AI-generated music should be clearly labeled to listeners 
  • 73% of music streaming users would like to know if a music streaming service is recommending 100% AI-generated music 
  • 52% of respondents feel that 100% AI-generated songs should not be included in charts alongside human-made songs in the main charts

FAQ

Figures updated to reflect Deezer data as of July 2026.

How accurate is Deezer’s AI music detection tool?

Deezer’s AI detection system has an accuracy rate of 99.8%. It may miss approximately two AI-generated tracks out of every 1,000 and incorrectly flag fewer than one genuine human-made track out of every 10,000.

Which AI models can Deezer detect?

The tool currently detects music generated by leading commercial models, including Suno, Udio, and Riffusion. Deezer can add detection capabilities for other generative models when relevant data examples are available.

How much AI-generated music is streamed on Deezer?

Fully AI-generated music accounts for between 1% and 3% of total streams on Deezer. Up to 85% of streams on fully AI-generated tracks were identified as fraudulent in 2025. Deezer removes fraudulent streams from the royalty pool.

How does Deezer label AI-generated music?

Albums containing detected AI-generated music are clearly labeled on Deezer. The labeling system launched in June 2025, making Deezer the first and, so far, only music streaming platform to explicitly tag AI-generated music for listeners.

Can other organizations license Deezer’s detection technology?

Yes. Deezer has made its AI detection technology commercially available to organizations across the music ecosystem since January 2026. Potential users include streaming platforms, rights organizations, distributors, and other industry stakeholders. More information is available at business.deezer.com/ai-detection.

How to switch to Deezer

Transfer your music in 3 easy steps with Tune My Music.

Step 1: Click on “Transfer now” to log in or create a Deezer account

Step 2: Select your current music provider

Step 3: Transfer your precious music library (playlists, albums, artists, and songs). It’s completely free and secure.

Tune My Music is a trusted partner of Deezer and adheres to the highest standards of data protection while transferring your music library. Information such as your user ID, screen name, and music library content remains secure.

Press Contact Deezer

Jesper Wendel
jwendel@deezer.com

ABOUT DEEZER

Deezer is a leading independent music experiences platform, creating ways for people to Live the music. Founded in Paris in 2007, Deezer is available in 180 countries, and brings together a team of 550 people across France, Germany, the UK, Brazil and the US, sharing a passion for music, technology and innovation.

Deezer offers a full-range music catalog, lossless HiFi audio and innovative features designed to enhance discovery, engagement and personalization. With a mission to make music thrive, Deezer is committed to help build a more sustainable music ecosystem, and has pioneered both AI-music tagging and a new monetization model that better rewards artists and songwriters.

Beyond its direct-to-consumer service, Deezer partners with leading brands through Deezer for Business, extending its reach and driving brand value and user engagement across multiple industries, including telecommunications, media, audio hardware and retail.

Deezer is listed on Euronext Paris (Ticker: DEEZR. ISIN: FR001400AYG6).

For the latest news, visit the Deezer newsroom.

For investor relations, visit the Deezer investor relations space.

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