A coalition of music industry organizations has proposed a standardized system for labeling tracks on streaming services that use artificial intelligence, aiming to provide listeners with clear transparency about the role of generative AI in the music they hear.
The initiative is led by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). It is also backed by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), The Grammys, SAG-Aftra, the Human Artistry Campaign, the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), and the European independent labels group Impala.
Two distinct AI badges
The proposed system introduces two visual badges to be displayed alongside tracks on streaming platforms. The first, for wholly AI-generated recordings, features an uppercase ‘AI’ in white text inside a black box. This category applies when generative AI was used to create the entirety or the primary portion of a recording’s creative elements, including lead vocal performances, key instrumental performances, or entirely prompt-generated music.
The second badge, for AI-assisted tracks, displays a lowercase ‘ai’ in black text inside a white box. It is intended for recordings created substantially by humans, where generative AI was used only for some expressive elements, and where humans performed the lead vocal and primary instruments.
“Fans want to know whether and how generative AI has been used in the music to which they listen. Given how important human artistry and authenticity is to music lovers all over the world, these labels will provide an immediately understandable and easily scalable approach to transparency,” said IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley and RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier in a joint statement.
Streaming platforms’ existing AI labels
Several major streaming services have already developed their own approaches to AI disclosure. Spotify launched a transparency credits system in beta this April, enabling artists to disclose how AI was used for specific contributions such as vocals, lyrics, and production. The company says tens of thousands of these credits are now submitted daily.
Apple Music introduced transparency tags in March, requiring labels and distributors to disclose AI use in artwork, tracks, compositions, and music videos. Tidal and Deezer both use proprietary technology to identify and tag AI-generated music, with Tidal stating that it expects content distributors to identify AI-generated content before it reaches the platform.
Industry response and metadata needs
It remains unclear whether any streaming services have committed to adopting the proposed badges. Graham Davies, CEO of the Digital Media Association (DiMA), offered a cautious welcome, emphasizing the importance of detailed AI metadata.
“DIMA has long advocated for the creators, owners, and distributors of music to provide accurate and timely metadata on all music released and distributed to streaming services. We are following today’s announcement closely and look forward to receiving more detailed and accurate AI metadata, which will strengthen our ability to give fans the transparency they deserve,” Davies said. “Our members look forward to continuing to work with the labels, producers, artists and distributors, as well as other industry stakeholders and standards bodies such as DDEX, to build a robust supply chain in which consumers can trust.”
The Digital Data Exchange (DDEX), a standards body for music metadata, is not currently involved in the proposed labeling system.
