Apple Music will label AI-generated music later this year
Apple Music is making its AI transparency labels visible to listeners later this year, requiring labels and distributors to disclose when a material portion of a release has been created using AI.
Apple Music is preparing to make AI-generated content more visible to listeners.
In a message to music industry partners on August 20, Apple confirmed that its existing AI Transparency Tags will become visible on Apple Music later this year as “Made With AI” labels, according to MBW.
The tags were introduced in March as a way for record labels and distributors to disclose AI use when delivering content to Apple Music. Until now, this information has only been included in Apple’s content delivery system rather than being shown to listeners.
Under the new requirements, content providers will need to include an AI Transparency Tag when AI has been used to create a material portion of the content.
This includes tracks that are primarily generated by generative AI platforms such as Suno and Udio. Apple defines AI-platform-generated content as anything “primarily derived from a generative AI service.”
Apple has not yet announced exactly when the labels will launch, only confirming that they are coming later in 2026.
What does this mean for artists?
The biggest practical change is that AI disclosure is becoming part of the distribution process. Apple is putting responsibility on labels and distributors to provide accurate AI Transparency Tags, saying they are best positioned to know how their content was created.
For independent artists, that means being aware of how AI has been used across a release and providing accurate information when distributing it.
Importantly, Apple isn’t announcing a ban on AI-generated music. The focus is on transparency rather than preventing artists from using AI.
The distinction between AI-assisted and AI-generated music will therefore become increasingly important. Apple has said its requirement applies where AI creates a “material portion” of the content, but it has not provided a specific percentage threshold for what that means.
The tags can also apply beyond the audio itself, with Apple’s system covering AI use in areas including compositions, artwork and music videos.
AI music is becoming a bigger issue for streaming platforms
Apple’s update comes as streaming services deal with a huge increase in AI-generated music.
Deezer recently reported that more than 50% of new uploads on peak days are now identified as AI-generated. Despite the sheer volume, fully AI-generated music still accounts for just 1-3% of total streams on the platform.
The growing gap between the amount of AI music being uploaded and the amount actually being listened to has raised concerns around spam, streaming fraud and impersonation.
Streaming platforms are therefore increasingly looking for ways to identify AI-generated content and distinguish it from music being genuinely created and promoted by artists.
Apple has also been stepping up its efforts to tackle these issues. The company says it has developed technology to identify AI-generated tracks and combat spam, impersonation and manipulated streams. In 2025, Apple redistributed royalties from approximately 2 billion manipulated streams, returning the money to the wider payout pool for artists and labels.
Apple isn’t alone in introducing new measures. Deezer uses AI detection technology to identify and label AI-generated tracks, while Spotify has introduced AI disclosure tools including its upcoming AI Persona badge for artist profiles representing photorealistic AI-generated identities.
The wider music industry is also pushing for greater transparency around AI-generated music, with organisations including the RIAA and IFPI calling for clearer labelling across streaming platforms.
What should independent artists do?
There’s no need for artists to change their creative process because of Apple’s announcement, but keeping track of AI use is becoming increasingly important.
If you’re using generative AI as part of your music, artwork or other release assets, make sure you understand what role it has played and provide accurate information when submitting your release.
As more DSPs introduce their own AI policies, accurate metadata will become an increasingly important part of music distribution.
For artists distributing independently, the key takeaway is simple: AI use isn’t necessarily a problem, but transparency matters.
Apple’s new labels are designed to give listeners more information about the content they’re hearing, while helping streaming platforms distinguish legitimate creative use of AI from the spam, fraud and impersonation concerns surrounding the rapid growth of AI-generated content.
And if you’re ready to release your next track, RouteNote lets independent artists and labels distribute their music to Apple Music and other major streaming platforms for free.