Streaming services could soon spell out when a song wasn't entirely made by humans. A coalition led by the Recording Industry Association of America and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is now pressing platforms like Spotify and Apple Music to clearly tag tracks that lean on artificial intelligence—and it wants two different labels to do it, per the Wall Street Journal. One tag would flag songs that are fully or mostly AI-generated, including synthetic lead vocals or key instrumental parts. Another label would mark tracks as "AI-assisted" when humans are mostly in charge but use some AI tools along the way.
The tags would work much like "explicit" warnings and, for now, wouldn't cover AI use in lyrics, composition, videos, or cover graphics. Artists, labels, and distributors would supply the information voluntarily. RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier says listeners are generally receptive to AI-made music but want to know when they're not hearing a human performance, calling this proposal "the best way to have it both ways." "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," Glazier adds in a joint statement with IFPI chief Vikki Oakley, per a release.
The push comes as some musicians embrace AI as another studio tool, much like a synthesizer or similar equipment, while others fear their work is training models without pay—and that low-quality AI tracks are flooding the services, per the Journal. To underscore the importance of addressing this, Billboard notes that French streaming service Deezer has said nearly 45% of its daily uploads are fully AI-generated. Spotify and Apple Music say they're already moving toward more detailed AI disclosures. Other groups backing the RIAA and IFPI's push include SAG-AFTRA, the Grammys, and the American Association of Independent Music.
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