Music industry proposes AI content labels

Major music industry organizations are pushing for a new labeling system to clearly distinguish between music created with generative artificial intelligence and that which is merely AI-assisted. The initiative, spearheaded by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the American Recording Industry Association (RIAA), along with bodies like the Grammys, seeks to bring transparency to the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in music creation.

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AI is used to generate all or the essential creative elements of a track.

Two distinct labels are proposed: "AI-generated" will apply to tracks where AI has produced the entirety or the core creative elements, including music generated from prompts, or where AI has created the main vocal performance or essential instrumental parts. The "AI-assisted" label is reserved for music with substantial human creative input, where AI has been used for specific elements but not to generate the primary musical components or lead vocals.

These organizations plan to collaborate with digital music services, distributors, aggregators, and regulatory bodies to implement the labeling system. Currently, Deezer is the only major streaming platform that systematically identifies AI-generated tracks. Spotify has introduced a "Verified by Spotify" label, indicating human artists, but declined to comment on the new industry proposals. Apple Music has not yet responded.

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Substantial human dimension in creation, but AI has been used for certain elements.

Graham Davies, CEO of the Digital Media Association (DiMA), representing audio streaming services, stated that the organization is closely monitoring the announcement but has not yet commented on its stance.

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Following today's announcement closely.