Record Industry Proposes AI Labels to Identify Generated and Assisted Music

Over 35 years after the parental advisory sticker entered the cultural landscape, the recording industry is turning its attention to a different kind of marker. A joint announcement from the RIAA, the Grammys, SAG-AFTRA, and other organizations proposes a voluntary labeling system for music that involves generative AI. The aim is to give listeners immediate, recognizable information about the role of artificial intelligence in a given recording.

Under the plan, a black block with large “AI” text would denote a track that is “AI-Generated.” A white block with a smaller “ai” would signal an “AI-Assisted” recording—one where a human artist used the technology in a limited way. The labels function much like the explicit-content tags already common on streaming services: digital markers that appear alongside a song’s metadata.

“Fans want to know whether and how generative AI has been used in the music to which they listen,” IFPI CEO Vikki Oakley and RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier said in a joint statement. “Given how important human artistry and authenticity is to music lovers all over the world, these labels will provide an immediately understandable and easily scalable approach to transparency.”

The push for clarity follows data that underscores the volume of AI material entering platforms. Deezer reported that AI-generated songs accounted for 44 percent of all new uploads, and Apple Music said that one-third of the new music it received was “100% AI.” The labels would offer a quick visual distinction, though the announcement did not include a timeline for adoption by streaming services.

Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr., who already introduced AI guidelines for the awards, framed the initiative as a way to preserve trust. “As AI continues to be integrated into the creative process, artists and fans alike deserve a clear way to communicate how and when it’s being used,” he said. “Giving artists the ability to tell that story strengthens trust and supports a more sustainable future for music.”