Music Industry Proposes Global AI Labels for Songs

A coalition of leading music‑industry bodies—including the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Recording Academy (the Grammys), SAG‑AFTRA, A2IM, WIN, IMPALA and the Human Artistry Campaign—has announced a voluntary labeling system to identify the use of generative artificial intelligence in recorded music.

Two visual tags are proposed: a black “AI” badge for tracks where artificial intelligence created the bulk or entirety of the musical content (such as main vocals, key instrumentals or full compositions), and a white “ai” badge for songs that are principally human‑made but incorporate AI‑generated expressive elements. The labels will apply only to audio recordings and do not cover AI use in lyrics, composition, video or album artwork.

The initiative seeks adoption by streaming platforms, distributors and aggregators worldwide. Industry data cited include Deezer’s report that AI‑generated tracks accounted for 44 % of new uploads, and Apple Music’s estimate that over one‑third of newly submitted tracks are entirely AI‑created. IFPI CEO Vikki Oakley and RIAA Chairman Mitch Glazier said fans “want to know if and how generative AI has been used,” while Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. highlighted the need to keep creativity and authorship transparent. Implementation details remain pending, with the system intended to be voluntary and scalable.