AI, deep fakes and ticket bots “ruining” UK music industry
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Research by Dr Katherine Pittalis of Queen’s University Belfast reveals that AI‑generated music, deep‑fake “Artificial Musicians,” and metric‑inflating bots are distorting the UK music ecosystem. Her study, based on a PhD thesis now being turned into a book, documents how bots amplify social‑media metrics, manipulate streaming algorithms, and operate on ticket‑resale platforms to sell non‑existent tickets at inflated prices. The investigation also highlights unregulated Facebook “buy‑and‑sell” groups and bot‑moderated community‑notes sections that undermine misinformation controls. Pittalis argues that the UK’s regulatory framework lags behind the EU and US, leaving consumers and artists vulnerable to deceptive practices that erode trust in streaming services, live‑event ticketing and online music promotion.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The unchecked bot economy is reshaping audience perception and revenue streams, threatening the credibility of the UK’s music market and its artists.
