A coalition of major and independent record labels has proposed new guidelines to address the growing presence of artificial intelligence in music creation and its impact on official charts. The group, which includes Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, BMG, and Concord, unveiled the framework on Wednesday in an effort to clarify how AI-generated music should be evaluated for chart eligibility.
The proposal outlines that AI-produced tracks will qualify for charts only if the AI tools employed are properly authorized and operate within copyright laws. Furthermore, the music must be “substantially human-made” and should not raise concerns regarding manipulation of streams or chart positions. The coalition emphasized that the principles aim to provide a consistent foundation for chart compilers, industry organizations, and stakeholders worldwide to help safeguard human creativity while adapting to technological advances.
“Together, the organizations proposing these principles stand ready to work with charts and industry bodies around the world to discuss these principles and support implementation of these important safeguards for human creativity by charts and industry bodies,” the coalition stated in its announcement.
The move responds to increased proliferation of AI-generated music across streaming platforms. For example, Spotify has introduced a verification badge to distinguish human artists from AI-produced content. Meanwhile, Tidal has banned AI music from receiving royalties. Deezer, the French streaming service, took an early stance by detecting and excluding AI-generated tracks from its algorithmic recommendations. Deezer recently reported that approximately 90,000 AI tracks are uploaded daily to the platform, accounting for more than half of all new music submissions.
Despite the coalition’s efforts to implement clearer standards, some member labels have already established partnerships with AI technology firms, including Suno, Udio, and Nvidia, reflecting varied industry approaches to the integration of AI. Additionally, some music advocacy groups have expressed concern over “non-negotiable AI usage clauses” that may be imposed on artists, raising questions about creative control and rights in the evolving music landscape.
The proposed guidelines seek to balance the incorporation of AI tools with the protection of human artistry while addressing challenges posed by unauthorized or purely synthetic content. The coalition continues to engage with relevant industry bodies to refine and adopt measures that promote transparency and fairness in music chart representation.