Eight organisations have agreed on icons that identify AI-generated and assisted tracks, as AI uploads pile up on Deezer and Apple Music.
Streaming apps are getting more upfront about AI-made music, as uploads ramp up. Eight organisations – IFPI, RIAA, A2IM, WIN, IMPALA, The Grammys, SAG-AFTRA and the Human Artistry Campaign – have agreed on a shared way to flag generative AI in sound recordings, using two voluntary track-level tags, “AI-Generated” and “AI-Assisted”.
Catch up on all the latest news here.
An “AI-Generated” tag means generative AI produced the whole recording or its primary creative elements, such as a lead vocals, a key instrumental part generated by software or a track built entirely from prompts. “AI-Assisted” covers recordings made substantially by humans, where people perform the lead vocal and primary instruments but AI handles some expressive elements.
The stats behind the move show a huge increase in AI-generated tracks – Deezer reported that 44% of all new music delivered to the platform in April was AI-generated. Apple Music has said more than a third of its uploads are “100% AI”.
“Fans want to know whether and how generative AI has been used in the music to which they listen,” said Vikki Oakley, IFPI CEO and Mitch Glazier, RIAA Chairman & CEO in a joint statement.
The labels rely on visual icons backed by metadata and delivery systems, and the group plans to work with digital services, distributors, aggregators and standard-setting bodies on getting them adopted. For now the system covers sound recordings only. It doesn’t touch AI use in lyrics, composition, music videos or cover art, and the organisations say it will change as the technology does.
Performers’ representatives see it as a starting point rather than a fix. “Transparency is essential, but it is only the beginning,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator.
The tags will be available for use in the near future, though it’s up to each streaming service and distributor whether they display them.
