A collection of groups representing musicians and the music industry at large — including the RIAA, IFPI, the Grammys and SAG-AFTRA — have banded together for a new labeling program that aims to provide a unified front on indicating whether a song has been produced with AI.
The groups on Friday introduced two suggested labels, akin to labels noting a song’s explicit nature, to help indicate whether a recording has been “AI-Generated” or “AI-Assisted.” The organizations hope the labels will provide clarity for fans who are scouring streaming services for new songs during an era where streaming services have acknowledged the proliferation of AI-produced music across their libraries.
“Fans want to know whether and how generative AI has been used in the music to which they listen,” International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) CEO Vikki Oakley and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier said in a statement. “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. We acknowledge the many ways AI is being used creatively, so we expect to offer fans additional information as adoption of generative AI labeling grows and technology evolves.”
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The two AI labels, which are set at the track level, will help distinguish whether a track is “AI-Generated,” including whether the lead vocal and key instruments were generated or if the song was entirely produced by a prompt; or “AI-Assisted,” which will mark whether AI helped with “some expressive elements” as humans created the tune. The labels do not currently apply to AI’s use for lyrics, compositions, music videos or a song’s cover art.
Other groups joining the effort include the American Association of Independent Music, the Worldwide Independent Network, the European Independents Association and the Human Artistry Campaign. The move comes as streaming services have taken two approaches to labeling AI music, with some, such as Spotify and Apple Music, placing the onus on artists to label their work, while others, such as Tidal, tag such tracks themselves and ban royalties from such work.
“As AI continues to be integrated into the creative process, artists and fans alike deserve a clear way to communicate how and when it’s being used,” Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said. “This initiative ensures that creativity, authorship, and artistic intent remain at the center of every song. Giving artists the ability to tell that story strengthens trust and supports a more sustainable future for music.”
“Fans deserve to know when the music they hear is AI-generated or AI-assisted, and performers deserve a marketplace that recognizes, values, and protects human creativity,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator, said in a statement. “This framework is an important step toward giving listeners clear information. SAG-AFTRA continues to reinforce the principle that AI should not be used to replace, imitate, or exploit artists without consent and fair compensation.”
The effort is a response to the rise of AI music generators such as Suno and Udio, which have caused consternation to artists over how their work may have helped train their models and to music labels for allegedly infringing their copyrights. A Suno spokesperson said in a statement on Friday that, while the company believes “transparency is important,” it thinks “it should be up to artists and platforms to decide how to treat these complex issues.”
“This is a nuanced conversation that will require thoughtful solutions, which is why we’re continuing to work with creatives, rightsholders, and platforms on approaches that protect artists while supporting human creativity,” the spokesperson said, adding the company has added tools such as watermarking and audio fingerprinting that “empower” artists to disclose their AI usage.