Music Industry Groups Launch AI Labeling System for Recordings

A coalition of music industry and artists' organizations, including the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), The Recording Academy, and SAG-AFTRA, has introduced a voluntary global labeling system for sound recordings that utilize generative AI. The initiative aims to protect human artistry and provide transparency for listeners as AI content surges on streaming platforms.

The system employs two distinct markers: an AI-generated label for works where AI created the primary portion or lead performances, and an AI-assisted label for human-led recordings that incorporate AI-generated expressive elements. Proposed digital markers include a black block with a large AI for entirely AI-generated tracks and a white block with a smaller ai for assisted songs. These labels currently apply only to sound recordings and do not cover lyrics, composition, or visual art.

The move follows reports that 44 percent of new uploads to Deezer are entirely AI-generated and more than one-third of tracks on Apple Music are 100% AI. Additionally, data indicates that nearly 90 percent of professional producers now use AI in their workflows. The Human Artistry Campaign and the Digital Media Association expressed support for the framework, noting that improved metadata will increase transparency and trust between artists and fans.