Apple Music to Mandate AI Song Labels
Apple Music is turning its AI Transparency Tags from a voluntary option into a requirement, and will display these tags to listeners later this year. It has not yet specified how it will enforce this rule or the consequences for untagged tracks.
What Changed?
Apple introduced AI Transparency Tags in March, allowing record labels and distributors to disclose AI usage in artwork, tracks, compositions, or music videos. Initially, these tags were optional. However, Apple’s latest email to industry partners removes this choice:
Content providers will be required to include AI Transparency Tags in any instance where AI was used to create a material portion of the content, including tracks that are AI platform generated.
Apple defines AI-platform-generated content as "anything that is primarily derived from a generative AI service."
Apple’s Approach
The company emphasizes listener transparency and refers creators to its Music Style Guide. However, it places the burden of tagging on the uploaders:
As we implement Made With AI Labels, content providers will be important partners. They are best positioned to know how their content was created.
Oliver Schusser, head of Apple Music, revealed in April that Apple has developed an in-house detection system, but labels need time to understand and adopt it.
Unanswered Questions
The email does not address several key points:
- How will non-compliant tracks be handled?
- What is the threshold for a "material portion" of AI-generated content?
- Will Apple cross-reference tagged tracks with its own detection system, or rely solely on provider disclosures?
According to Schusser, over a third of Apple Music’s monthly uploads are 100% AI music.