An AI-generated track has reached the number one position on a Billboard US singles chart for the first time. Walk My Walk, created by the AI artist Breaking Rust, hit the top spot on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart after earning more than three million Spotify streams in under a month and climbing to No.1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 chart in the US.
Multiple AI Tracks Now Charting
Breaking Rust’s success is not limited to one song. Another track from the anonymous AI act, Livin’ on Borrowed Time, reached number five in the same Billboard chart, collecting more than four million Spotify streams. The artist’s TikTok presence has also grown rapidly, with nearly 200,000 followers, and Walk My Walk appearing in over 150,000 videos.
Billboard Confirms AI Presence in the Charts
Billboard confirmed to ABC News that it is fully aware Walk My Walk was generated using artificial intelligence. The publication noted that at least five additional AI-powered acts have charted in recent months. These include Xania Monet, who reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart, and Enlly Blue, an AI-assisted act that reached No.15 on the Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart in October.
Industry Reactions and Concerns
Billboard Senior Entertainment Reporter Kelley L. Carter told ABC News that the recent rise of AI artists “feels like an experiment to see just how far something like this can go,” adding that companies may eventually prefer AI acts because they do not require traditional artist support or resources. Carter noted this could become a concern for human artists as the technology continues to expand.
Controversial AI Music Also Rising in Charts
Walk My Walk is not the only AI creation gaining traction. A Dutch anti-migrant track by the AI artist Broken Veteran reached the Top 5 on Spotify’s Viral 50 Global chart before disappearing from the platform. Spotify said the creator removed the track; the anonymous producer denied this, telling The Guardian that their intention was to critique government policy, not individuals. They also described AI as “valuable for people who have something to say but lack traditional musical training.”
New Research Shows Listeners Struggle to Tell AI From Human Music
The chart success comes just days after a new study from Deezer and Ipsos showed that 97 percent of listeners cannot tell the difference between AI-generated and human-made music. More than half of surveyed participants said they felt uncomfortable not knowing the difference, while 66 percent said they would listen to fully AI-generated music at least once out of curiosity.
A Rapid Shift in the Music Landscape
As AI-generated music begins to chart alongside major human artists, its impact on the future of the industry is becoming increasingly visible. With streaming numbers rising, listener attitudes changing, and more AI artists entering the charts, the line between digital creation and traditional musicianship continues to blur.