Tidal to Label AI Music and Block Royalties for AI-Generated Tracks

Tidal will automatically label fully AI-generated music and block those tracks from earning royalties on its streaming platform [1, 2].

This move represents a significant shift in how streaming services handle synthetic media, aiming to protect the financial interests of human creators against an influx of algorithmically produced content.

The policy focuses on tracks that are 100 percent AI-generated, which will not earn royalties ^[4]. The company said the platform will use automatic tagging to identify these songs [1, 2]. This system allows the service to distinguish between human-led compositions and those produced entirely by artificial intelligence.

Beyond royalty restrictions, Tidal will remove AI-generated music that impersonates specific artists or is linked to fraudulent activity [1, 2]. The company said these measures are intended to combat fraud and ensure that payments reach actual human artists [2, 3].

While the service is not banning AI-generated music entirely, the removal of financial incentives targets the economic motivation behind mass-producing synthetic tracks ^[5]. The platform's executive vice president and editor-in-chief, Tony Gervino, is overseeing the implementation of these standards ^[1].

Industry observers note that the policy targets the intersection of generative technology and digital distribution. By removing the ability to monetize fully synthetic works, Tidal aims to curb the proliferation of low-effort content that can dilute the royalty pool for professional musicians [2, 3].