Labels Propose Rules to Block AI Slop on Charts

To qualify for official music charts, songs would need to be "substantially human made," a criterion whose precise definition remains to be fully elucidated.

A consortium of prominent record labels, including the industry's "big three" — Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group — has put forward new regulations concerning the eligibility of AI-generated music for chart inclusion. In essence, under these proposals, most AI songs would not qualify.

This proposal extends significantly beyond earlier initiatives, such as the labeling framework suggested by organizations like the RIAA, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and SAG-AFTRA, which primarily aimed to standardize labels for AI-created or assisted music. While the labels' new plan also mandates clear labeling for AI tracks, its core thrust is to bar them from international charts unless they strictly adhere to specific conditions, prominently featuring the requirement of being "substantially human made."

Further stipulations for chart eligibility include adherence to the terms of service of any AI tool utilized, verification that the AI model possesses the necessary rights to its training data, and a guarantee that the track "does not raise stream or chart manipulation concerns." The exact nature of these "concerns" and what precisely constitutes "substantially human made" are currently ambiguous. Requests for clarification from Sony Music, UMG, and Mom+Pop Music did not receive an immediate response.

The IFPI has publicly endorsed the labels' proposed framework. However, no charting organization has yet indicated an immediate intention to adopt these new rules. The comprehensive list of proposed criteria for chart eligibility is as follows:

Recordings developed with generative AI services are to be excluded from official charts if there is any doubt regarding their compliance with all of the following conditions: the generative AI services employed in the recording's development must be properly authorized and lawful; the recording must be "substantially human made"; it must not raise concerns regarding stream or chart manipulation; it must comply with all applicable laws, including those pertaining to copyright, related rights, and personality rights; the availability of the recording must not violate the terms of service of the generative AI tool used; and the use of generative AI services in the recording's development must be appropriately signaled to consumers on downstream services, such as digital streaming platforms, in accordance with relevant legislation and/or industry labeling standards.