The international recorded-music industry has agreed on a voluntary labelling system to identify sound recordings created with generative artificial intelligence, a direct response to the rapid influx of AI-produced tracks onto streaming services. Announced on Friday in New York by the IFPI, the RIAA, the Grammy organisers, and several independent-music bodies, the framework divides AI use into two categories: “AI-Generated” and “AI-Assisted”. The move aims to give listeners a quick, standardised indication of how AI was used in a recording, without passing judgement on the technology itself.

The “AI-Generated” label applies when AI has created all or most of a track’s creative elements—this includes compositions built entirely from text prompts, as well as recordings where the lead vocal or a key instrumental performance is AI-produced. The “AI-Assisted” label is reserved for works with substantial human authorship, where AI has been used only for minor expressive elements; crucially, the main vocal and primary instruments must be performed by humans. The labels, which use visual icons backed by metadata, are designed for use by streaming platforms, distributors, and aggregators. For now, the system does not cover AI use in lyrics, compositions, video clips, or cover art.

The initiative gains urgency from platform data. Deezer reports that 44 per cent of all new music delivered to its service is AI-generated, while Apple Music estimates that more than a third of tracks uploaded to its platform are “100 per cent AI”. Viewed from European industry circles, Deezer has welcomed the proposal as a step toward a unified sector-wide framework. IFPI CEO Vikki Oakley and RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier stated that the labels offer a “scalable” transparency tool, acknowledging that many artists are exploring AI to support their creativity. The system is not designed to stigmatise AI use but to help fans distinguish between fully algorithmic productions and human-led recordings that employ AI in a limited way.

The organisations behind the labels say they will now work with digital music services, distributors, aggregators, and standards bodies to drive industry-wide adoption. The labels are expected to become available for use shortly. As generative AI technology evolves, the labelling framework may be expanded. The next concrete milestone is the integration of these labels into the interfaces of major streaming platforms, which will determine how quickly the system becomes a de facto standard for music discovery.