AI Labels will help identify music created with generative artificial intelligence after several of the world’s leading music industry organisations introduced a voluntary labelling system aimed at improving transparency for listeners.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced the initiative alongside six other industry groups, including the Recording Academy, which organises the Grammy Awards.

Industry leaders said the labels would help listeners understand how artists and producers used artificial intelligence during the creative process.

“Fans want to know whether and how generative AI has been used,” the chief executives of IFPI and RIAA said in a joint statement.

“These labels will provide an immediately understandable and easily scalable approach to transparency.”

The new framework introduces two separate labels.

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The “AI-generated” label will identify recordings in which artificial intelligence created all or most of the creative content. It will apply to songs produced entirely from AI prompts as well as recordings that use AI-generated lead vocals or key instrumental tracks.

The “AI-assisted” label will apply to recordings that humans primarily create but which include some AI-generated creative elements. Under the proposed standard, human performers must provide the lead vocals and primary instrumental performances.

The organisations said they designed the voluntary system for global adoption, including by music streaming platforms.

Streaming service Deezer already labels AI-generated tracks and recently reported that such songs account for nearly half of all new uploads to its platform. In June, the company introduced an AI music detection tool that it says identifies AI-generated tracks with 99.8 per cent accuracy.

Earlier this year, an Apple Music executive told Billboard that more than one-third of new music uploaded to the platform was created entirely with artificial intelligence.

The Digital Media Association (DIMA), which represents streaming companies including Apple Music, Amazon Music and Spotify, welcomed the initiative.

Chief executive Graham Davies said the association supports stronger AI metadata to improve transparency for music fans.

“DIMA has long advocated for the creators, owners and distributors of music to provide accurate and timely metadata on all music released and distributed to streaming services,” Davies said.

Spotify has also increased its focus on AI transparency. Last year, the company introduced new measures to support AI disclosure and combat impersonation. In April, it launched the “Verified by Spotify” label to help users identify authentic artists.

Spotify declined to comment on the latest industry initiative, while Apple Music and the Digital Media Association did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.