The music industry is currently navigating a fascinating, yet fraught, new frontier: the rise of artificial intelligence in composition. What started as a technological advancement has rapidly morphed into an economic and ethical crisis, prompting major streaming platforms to draw a hard line against entirely AI-generated music.
One of the most prominent moves comes from TIDAL, which has introduced a sweeping new policy aimed at ensuring fairness for human artists. The platform has confirmed it will no longer pay royalties to any music created entirely by artificial intelligence, signaling a serious shift in how digital compensation is handled.
The impetus behind this change stems from growing concerns about the authenticity of the content. A recent study revealed that a staggering 97 per cent of people cannot reliably tell the difference between genuine human-made music and music generated by AI.
This uncertainty isn’t just academic; it has immediate economic consequences. Previous revelations, such as Deezer‘s finding that 28 per cent of uploaded music was fully AI-generated, fed into a broader fear: that workers in the music sector could lose nearly a quarter of their income to Artificial Intelligence over the next four years.
In response to this escalating situation, TIDAL is taking concrete action. Effective July 15th, they will implement measures to police the platform:
- 100% AI-generated tracks will be clearly labeled and will not earn royalties.
- Any content designed to impersonate existing artists will be removed.
- Users will have the option to filter out all 100 per cent of AI-generated content from their streams.
TIDAL’s policy is formally outlined in a new framework titled “Promoting Fairness and Economic Empowerment in the Era of AI-Generated Music.” While the platform acknowledges that artists should have the freedom to utilize AI tools for creation, they prioritize ensuring that royalties flow directly to original works produced by people.
The goal is clear: protecting the economic foundation of music creation. This stance reflects a wider industry movement where various bodies and artists are demanding consent before engaging in any AI deals, pushing back against plans that allow AI firms to exploit copyrighted material without compensation.
The response from established players mirrors this trend. Spotify has also stepped up its efforts, removing millions of “spammy tracks” and targeting impersonators. Furthermore, platforms like Deezer have deployed tools designed to detect AI-generated music across multiple playlists, demonstrating a collective effort to manage the chaotic landscape of algorithmic creation.
The debate over AI in art is increasingly moving from a niche technological discussion to a fundamental question about ownership, value, and fairness. As society grapples with these complex issues, the future of music will depend on finding a sustainable balance between creative freedom and economic accountability.
Credit: NME
