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spotify CEO Daniel Ek‘s Major Investment in AI Military Tech Sparks User and Artist Backlash
Stockholm, Sweden – Daniel Ek, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of Spotify, has recently allocated a substantial €600 million from the sale of his Spotify shares to invest in helsing, a German startup specializing in artificial intelligence for military applications. This notable financial move, following the divestment of over €800 million in Spotify stock in recent months, has ignited widespread criticism from both the platform’s user base and its artist community.
The investment targets Helsing‘s progress of AI-powered military software, including HX-2 drones, which have reportedly been deployed in Ukraine. This is not Ek’s first foray into the defense sector; he previously invested approximately $100 million in Helsing in 2021, an earlier investment that garnered less public attention.
Helsing’s AI Advancements Draw Scrutiny
Helsing is currently focused on integrating AI pilots into combat aircraft cockpits, a development that appears to have captured Ek’s strategic interest, mirroring Spotify’s rapid adoption of AI technologies within its own platform. The music streaming giant has faced considerable criticism for incorporating AI-generated music into its popular playlists.
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