Major record labels propose excluding AI-generated songs from official charts unless 'substantially human made'

Major record labels, including Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group, have proposed rules that would exclude AI-generated songs from official charts unless they meet specific criteria, including being 'substantially human made.'

The proposal, supported by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), would require AI-assisted recordings to comply with laws such as copyright and personality rights, respect the terms of service of the generative AI services used, and avoid concerns related to stream or chart manipulation.

To be chart-eligible under the proposal, recordings developed with generative AI services must meet several criteria: the AI services used must be properly authorized and lawful; the recordings must be substantially human made; they must not raise stream or chart manipulation concerns; they must comply with applicable laws; the use of generative AI services must be appropriately signaled to consumers on downstream services; and the making available of the recordings must not breach the terms of the generative AI service used.

The proposal goes further than a labeling-only approach previously put forth by the RIAA, IFPI, SAG-AFTRA, and others, which would have created standardized labels for AI-generated and AI-assisted music without excluding them from charts.

Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Mom+Pop Music did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on how terms like 'substantially human made' would be defined or enforced.

No charting organization has signaled an immediate plan to adopt the proposed rules, though IFPI has thrown its weight behind the proposal.