Spotify now tags AI music in song credits
Spotify’s new AI disclosure feature is here in beta. As AI music floods streaming platforms, this move aims to kickstart greater transparency around AI in music.
Last year, Spotify revealed its commitments to tackle AI impersonation, reduce spam, and improve transparency around AI in music. Now, we’re seeing Spotify take its first steps in improving transparency of AI music on its platform.
A first step towards AI transparency
Spotify has officially begun rolling out AI disclosures within song credits in beta, marking a significant step in its wider push for transparency across the platform. The new feature allows artists to disclose how AI has been used in their tracks when uploading music with their label or distributor.
If artists choose to provide that information, listeners can then view it directly in the Song Credits section on mobile. This could include details about whether AI contributed to vocals, lyrics, or production.
The catch? Spotify’s system depends entirely on artists choosing to disclose their use of AI, with many distributors yet to allow that to take place. Of course, this means that even if there’s no AI credit listed, it doesn’t necessarily mean AI wasn’t used. Some artists may choose to disclose, while others may hold back for commercial, reputational or other reasons.
So while this is a step forward, it’s far from a complete solution.
The bigger picture
When initially announcing its commitments, Spotify made it clear that this beta feature is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. That stance hasn’t changed either.
Spotify believes that creating a fully reliable AI transparency system will require industry-wide alignment. Without shared standards, listeners could still end up not knowing whether they’re listening to AI depending on where they’re streaming music.
While there has been little progress on this front, Spotify wanted to make sure it started putting its own measures in place.
Why now?
AI tracks have already become a core part of the music ecosystem. In fact, Deezer recently revealed that 44% of tracks uploaded to its platform are now AI-generated. And as AI uploads continue to flood streaming platforms, pressure is mounting on streaming platforms to respond. So, it makes sense that Spotify is looking to implement its own measures.
Not to mention, Spotify’s competitors have already made moves in this space too. Almost a year ago now, Deezer introduced AI detection and tagging tools, and has continued to be a leader in this space. Likewise, Apple Music has rolled out its own ‘Transparency Tags’ when it comes to AI-generated music, which also relies on disclosure from artists, labels, and distributors.
Moving forward
Spotify’s AI transparency feature might be in beta, but it’s a clear sign of where things are headed. As AI continues to reshape music creation, transparency is only going to become more important.
With that, some level of industry-wide alignment around AI music transparency could be the solution. But, whether that materializes, and in what form, remains to be seen.
Here at RouteNote, we’re committed to that responsibility too. Working alongside streaming platforms everywhere, we have something in the works. So watch this space for news of AI tagging’s inclusion in the RouteNote upload process.
Distribute your music to Spotify and streaming platforms everywhere for free with RouteNote today!