Apple Music will soon label songs made with AI

Technology Apple Music will shortly label songs produced with AI Spotify was the first one to act, saying that they would label AI-created artist profiles.

Key points

• This follows an initiative introduced by Apple back in March, where it allowed record labels and distributors to optionally label any song "materially generated using AI".
• At The News Digital, our editors combine entertainment savvy with global reporting expertise.
• Apple Music is preparing to create AI involvement in songs visible to every listener, not just industry insiders.
• With this latest development, Apple has created the process mandatory for all content providers.
• According to Apple, this means any song "primarily derived from a generative AI service".

Apple Music is preparing to create AI involvement in songs visible to every listener, not just industry insiders. Though no exact launch date has been set, according to an email sent to content partners and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the streaming service will roll out "Made With AI" labels afterwards this year.

This follows an initiative introduced by Apple back in March, where it allowed record labels and distributors to optionally label any song "materially generated using AI". In that instance, labelling was optional and not mandatory.

With this latest development, Apple has created the process mandatory for all content providers. This means any content provider must put in place AI transparency tags when there is a material part of a track created using generative AI.

According to Apple Music VP Oliver Schusser, one-third of all the music on the platform is AI-generated, but this music only makes up less than 0.5% of all listenings on Apple Music. This is the reason behind the importance of such labelling.

This is since with no label, there is no way for listeners to differentiate the AI-generated music from artist-generated music on the platform.

Meanwhile, a number of weeks before Apple produced its announcement, the RIAA and IFPI pressed streaming businesses to handle AI-made content like they handled explicit content, putting up a clear warning regarding it.

Spotify was the first one to act, saying that they would label AI-created artist profiles and not recommend them in their editorial playlists.

Apple's recent decision to growth fines for any streaming fraud a number of times over the past months additionally points in the same direction, according to Schusser.

Apple hasn't disclosed how the new labelling requirement will be enforced, or what happens if a distributor mislabels a track. Self-reported systems like this one rely on the honesty of the same labels and distributors submitting the content. It leaves an obvious gap for anyone using AI music specifically to manipulate streams or commit fraud.

At The News Digital, our editors combine entertainment savvy with global reporting expertise. Expect authoritative coverage of royals, Hollywood, and trending topics, plus clear, reliable updates throughout science, politics, sports, and business. We keep it accurate, timely, and straightforward to understand, so you can stay ahead.

Taken together, the developments around apple Music will soon label songs made with AI point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.