During the production of an AI-generated musical composition, audio waveforms from different instruments can be seen on a display.
A coalition comprising various record labels and artist organizations is advocating for streaming platforms to label music created with artificial intelligence, as the industry navigates the implications of AI technology on its operations.
This group aims to collaborate with major platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music to implement labeling systems that indicate when AI was involved in music production. The identification of AI usage will be initiated voluntarily by artists, record labels, and distributors.
Spearheaded by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the initiative proposes two specific tags for AI-generated music.
The first label would categorize tracks that are completely created by AI, whether through prompts or featuring lead vocals and key instrumentals generated by AI. The second label would denote “AI-assisted” tracks, indicating that while these pieces were predominantly crafted by human musicians, they incorporated some AI elements.
These AI-related labels would be akin to explicit content warnings currently used in music streaming. However, this labeling framework does not extend to AI involvement in song lyrics, composition, music video production, or cover art.
While some musicians see AI as a beneficial tool—similar to utilizing synthesizers for beats or instrumentation—others express concern that their music could be used to train AI models without proper financial compensation. Moreover, there's a fear that AI-generated music may overshadow human creativity on streaming platforms, which are already working to manage an influx of low-quality AI-produced content.
According to RIAA Chief Executive Mitch Glazier, there is a receptive audience for AI music; nevertheless, listeners want clarity on whether the music they enjoy is made by a human artist.
Glazier emphasized that “flexibility in the creative process” allows artists who wish to incorporate AI into their work the freedom to do so. He concluded that transparency remains the optimal approach to address these concerns effectively.
