AI-Generated Music Scam: Man Steals $8M in Royalties

Michael Smith, a 54-year-old from Cornelius, North Carolina, pleads guilty to wire fraud, stealing over $8 million in royalties from real artists using AI-generated fake songs. He spread streams across thousands of tracks to avoid detection, causing financial harm to legitimate musicians. This marks the first major federal case involving AI-generated music scams, highlighting the growing threat to the industry. Smith agrees to return the stolen funds and faces up to five years in prison. This guilty plea serves as a warning about the potential disruption of fair pay for creators.

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