The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the Recording Industry Association of America are launching a voluntary tagging system to label music created with generative artificial intelligence.
This initiative brings together major industry bodies, including the Grammys, A2IM, WIN, IMPALA, SAG-AFTRA, and the Human Artistry Campaign. The goal is to provide listeners with a clearer understanding of how the songs they stream were produced.
Two primary labels will be used. “AI-Generated” applies to tracks created entirely from prompts or those featuring AI-produced lead vocals or key instrumental parts. “AI-Assisted” covers songs where artificial intelligence played a supporting role, but the main performance was delivered by human musicians.
The labels are designed for broad global adoption across digital services and partners. Vikki Oakley, CEO of IFPI, and Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of RIAA, stated that fans want to know whether and how generative AI is used in the music they listen to. They argue that these labels offer an immediately understandable and easily scalable approach to transparency, noting the importance of human artistry and authenticity to music lovers worldwide.
Noemí Planas, CEO of Worldwide Independent Network, added that clear labeling is central to building trust between artists and fans. She said it gives listeners the transparency they deserve and supports a human-centred, safety-first approach championed by the global independent community through the WIN Principles for Generative AI. Implementing these shared standards is key to navigating AI responsibly while keeping creativity at the heart of the industry.
The announcement arrives as streaming platforms face increasing pressure regarding AI-generated content. French service Deezer recently revealed that AI-generated tracks now account for more than 44% of all daily uploads. Meanwhile, Apple Music said that more than one-third of the tracks uploaded to its platform are “100% AI”.
Labelling has become a preferred response for the industry. Last year, Deezer began automatically tagging fully AI-generated tracks detected on its platform. The company also filtered these tracks out of royalty payments and editorial playlists. Deezer has further launched a free online AI music detector that allows anyone to check whether tracks in their own playlists, even on rival streaming services, were created using AI.
Tidal announced last month that music it identifies as “wholly AI-generated” will no longer earn royalties or be eligible for direct-to-fan sales, though the tracks will remain on the platform.
What it means
For musicians and producers, this system creates a clear distinction between human performance and machine output. It ensures that tracks where a human played the core role are not automatically penalised or hidden from listeners seeking authentic artistry. Conversely, it ensures that purely synthetic tracks are clearly identified, allowing platforms to manage their libraries and royalty structures without ambiguity. For the listener, it offers a simple way to decide what they want to support.
