An AI-created folk-pop song that topped Spotify’s Sweden Top 50 has been barred from the country’s official music charts, reigniting debate over artificial intelligence and creativity. The track, Jag vet, du är inte min (“I Know, You’re Not Mine”), performed by a digital artist named Jacub, amassed over five million streams within weeks, making it Sweden’s biggest song of 2026 so far. However, Sweden’s music industry body ruled that the song does not qualify for chart rankings because it was primarily generated using AI.

Investigations by journalists revealed that Jacub is not a conventional artist, with no public performances or social media presence. The song is linked to executives at Denmark-based Stellar Music, including members of its AI division. The producers, calling themselves Team Jacub, argued that AI was only a tool in a human-led creative process and said the song’s popularity proved its artistic value. They described Jacub as an “artistic project” driven by real human emotions and experiences.

The explanation failed to convince IFPI Sweden, which enforces a rule excluding mainly AI-generated music from its national charts. The decision comes as Sweden positions itself at the forefront of the AI economy, even as creators warn of revenue losses from AI-generated content. While organisations like Billboard allow AI-generated tracks if they meet performance criteria, Sweden’s tougher stance highlights growing global divisions over how AI-made music should be recognised and regulated.

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