Global Music Industry Implements AI-Generated Content Labels

The global music industry has officially taken a preventative step to maintain the originality of works amidst the massive onslaught of digital technology. Major music industry organisations have launched a special labelling system to identify song content produced using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This initiative was collectively initiated by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) together with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This progressive move also received full support from other prestigious institutions, including the organisers of the Grammys and the labour union SAG-AFTRA. “Music lovers have the right to know transparently the extent to which generative AI is utilised in a recording. The implementation of this label will serve as an easy-to-understand navigation tool for the public while keeping the industry ecosystem healthy,” stated IFPI and RIAA executives in a joint statement in New York on Friday (10/7) local time. The classification system divides the labelling regulations into two main categories to facilitate curation across digital music platforms. The first category is the ‘AI-Generated’ label. This label is applied to material that essentially entrusts all or the majority of its creative elements to computer algorithms. Its scope includes compositions born purely from text instructions (prompts), including the use of AI-generated lead vocals and key instrumental arrangements driven by artificial intelligence. The second category is titled ‘AI-Assisted’. This classification is intended for musical works that are substantially produced by humans and express the originality of the musician’s creativity, but utilise a touch of AI technology to perfect some minor expressive elements. In this category, the absolute requirement is that the lead vocals and primary instruments must be played directly by humans. This move was released in response to the flood of AI content on streaming platforms. According to internal data from Deezer, nearly half of the new song uploads on their system are now indicated to use AI. A similar phenomenon is occurring at Apple Music, where more than a third of new material entering their database is known to be purely the fabrication of artificial intelligence. Through this voluntary labelling standard, industry players hope to balance the pace of technological innovation without degrading the value of copyright, identity protection, and the essence of human creativity for the world’s musicians.