A coalition of major music industry organizations — including IFPI, RIAA, A2IM, WIN, IMPALA, the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA and the Human Artistry Campaign — has announced a unified, voluntary labeling system for identifying artificial intelligence use in recorded music, aiming to give listeners clearer information as AI-generated tracks proliferate across streaming platforms.
The system distinguishes between two categories: "AI-Generated," for tracks where generative AI produced the entirety or primary creative elements of a recording, such as an AI-generated lead vocal or instrumental performance, and "AI-Assisted," for recordings created substantially by human artists who used AI for select elements while performing the lead vocals and primary instruments themselves. The labels will use standardized visual icons and metadata intended for adoption across digital music services, distributors and aggregators, though the framework does not yet cover AI use in lyrics, composition, videos or cover art.
The initiative comes as AI-generated content has surged on streaming platforms. Music streaming service Deezer reported in April that AI-generated tracks made up 44% of all new music delivered to its platform, while Apple Music has said more than a third of tracks uploaded to its service are "100% AI."
IFPI CEO Vikki Oakley and RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier said in a joint statement that "fans want to know whether and how generative AI has been used in the music to which they listen," framing the labels as a scalable transparency measure that will expand as the technology evolves. SAG-AFTRA's Duncan Crabtree-Ireland struck a more cautionary note, saying transparency "is only the beginning," and that performers "deserve a marketplace that recognizes, values, and protects human creativity" rather than one where AI replaces or imitates artists without consent or compensation.
The Grammys' Harvey Mason Jr. said the framework is meant to keep "creativity, authorship, and artistic intent" central to how songs are made and credited, while IMPALA's Helen Smith described it as an early step toward a broader industry-wide "provenance system." The organizations said they will work with digital music services and standard-setting bodies to roll out the labeling system in the near future.