A North Carolina musician has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $8 million in restitution after using artificial intelligence (AI) bots to inflate his streaming numbers on popular music platforms. Michael Smith, 54, pleaded guilty in March to collecting over $10 million in royalties from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music between 2017 and 2024.
The scheme relied on AI-generated songs purchased from an accomplice and uploaded to streaming platforms. To avoid detection by anti-fraud systems, Smith used virtual private networks (VPNs) to connect the bots to these platforms. At its peak, he operated over 1,000 bot accounts, each capable of streaming around 636 songs per day. According to court documents, this resulted in daily earnings of $3,307.20, monthly earnings of $99,216, and annual earnings exceeding $1.2 million.
But how exactly did Smith’s AI bots work? In simple terms, these automated systems used algorithms to mimic real users’ behavior on streaming platforms, artificially inflating the number of streams for his songs. This was done by creating multiple bot accounts that connected to the platforms using VPNs, making it appear as though thousands of people were listening to his music. To maintain the illusion, Smith and his accomplices needed to constantly upload new AI-generated content.
This case highlights a darker side of the music industry’s adoption of AI technology. While AI can be used creatively in music production, it also creates opportunities for exploitation. In this instance, Smith’s scheme robbed genuine artists and their fans by flooding streaming platforms with automated bots instead of original content. As U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald noted, “By flooding music streaming platforms with automated bots… Smith robbed millions in royalty payments from genuine artists and their fans.”
The consequences of Smith’s actions will be felt not just by the music industry but also by consumers who are now aware that streaming numbers can be artificially inflated. This raises questions about the authenticity of online metrics and how they impact the way we consume and appreciate music.
In practical terms, this case serves as a reminder for artists to be cautious when working with AI-generated content and to carefully monitor their streaming numbers. For music fans, it’s essential to consider the potential for manipulation in the online world and not take streaming metrics at face value. By being more discerning consumers of digital media, we can help create a more transparent and authentic online environment.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-10-07