The $8 million AI music scam artwork
The Vergecast

The $8 million AI music scam

Oct 14, 2026 · 38 min

A man named Mike Smith was recently sentenced to 18 months in prison, and a fine in excess of $8 million, for creating an AI system that faked billions of streams and earned him millions in royalties. Wired's Kate Knibbs explains how Smith pulled it off, how he got caught, and what this case means for the internet's growing slop problems. Vote for us in the Signal Awards! ⁠Vote Vergecast: Bes…