Music industry bodies push for AI labels on streaming platforms

The proposal, which is also backed by the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, the Human Artistry Campaign and the American Association of Independent Music, seeks to improve transparency as AI-generated music becomes increasingly common on digital streaming services.

Under the proposal, two labels would be introduced. The first, “AI-generated”, would apply to recordings created entirely by AI, including tracks generated from text prompts or those featuring AI-produced lead vocals or principal instrumental performances. The second, “AI-assisted”, would identify recordings created primarily by humans but incorporating AI during parts of the creative process.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the proposed labels would appear alongside tracks in a similar way to existing explicit-content warnings. Initially, the labels would apply only to the production of audio recordings and would not cover AI use in songwriting, lyrics, artwork or music videos. AI disclosures would also remain voluntary, relying on artists, record labels and distributors to provide the information.

The initiative follows growing calls within the music industry for greater transparency regarding AI-generated content. A recent survey conducted by Deezer and Ipsos found that 97% of respondents were unable to distinguish between AI-generated and human-created songs, while 80% supported clear labelling of fully AI-generated music.

RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier said artists should retain the freedom to incorporate AI into their work while ensuring audiences understand how recordings were created.

“But flexibility in the creative process also means that artists who want to use AI in the creative process should be able to do so. Transparency is just the best way to have it both ways.”

The Digital Media Association (DiMA), whose members include Spotify and Apple, said it supports improving the flow of AI-related information throughout the music supply chain, although it has not confirmed whether its members will adopt the proposed labels.

“That information flows best when it travels the entire path from creator to fan, and our members rely on industry partners to make that possible,” DiMA president and CEO Graham Davies said.

Several streaming services have already introduced measures to identify AI-generated music.

Deezer began detecting and labelling AI-generated tracks at platform level in 2025. The company said in April that it receives nearly 75 000 fully AI-generated tracks each day, accounting for more than 44% of new uploads. It has also reported that up to 85% of streams involving fully AI-generated music in 2025 were fraudulent and said those streams are excluded from royalty calculations.

Spotify has adopted the DDEX industry standard for AI disclosures in music credits and has been testing AI indicators within song credits where artists disclose AI use through their labels or distributors. The platform has also introduced verification rules that exclude profiles primarily representing AI-generated artists.

Other streaming platforms have also implemented AI-related policies. TIDAL announced in June that it would label fully AI-generated recordings and prevent them from earning royalties, while Qobuz introduced an AI detection system earlier this year to identify AI-generated content and remove recordings found to impersonate artists or manipulate streaming activity. Apple Music launched its own disclosure system in March, relying on labels and distributors to declare AI-generated recordings rather than detecting them independently.

If adopted more broadly, the proposed labelling framework would establish a common approach for identifying AI-generated and AI-assisted music across the streaming industry.