The Perfect Product of a Broken System: How One Man Exploited Streaming Platforms That Prioritize Algorithms Over Authenticity

In a world where digital interactions trump real artistry, he mastered the game that streaming services created.

"A North Carolina man used artificial intelligence to create hundreds of thousands of fake songs by fake bands, then put them on streaming services where they were enjoyed by an audience of fake listeners, prosecutors said.

"Penny by penny, he collected a very real $10 million, they said when they charged him with fraud."

When you create a system where clicks and stats are valued over musicians, songs, and genuine listeners, this is what you get.

Mr. Smith, a flesh-and-blood musician, produced A.I.-generated music and played it billions of times using bots he had programmed, according to the indictment.

In many ways, this man is the ultimate streaming platform user. They do not care about people or music. They care about digital interactions. He figured out what the systems valued most and he gave it to them.