YouTube Music begins rolling out labels for AI-generated music

YouTube Music has started rolling out labels for AI-generated music, allowing users to identify tracks created or altered using artificial intelligence.

The US-based tech firm announced the rollout in a blog post.

The labels appear in the player interface, below the song and artist names and above the player controls. Tapping a label displays the alert, “Made with AI. This audio was altered or fully generated using AI.”

YouTube will use its proprietary AI detection tools to identify such tracks. It will also work with music partners to flag songs with compositions and vocals created using generative AI models. The same labels will appear in the YouTube app for the identified tracks.

The company will follow the AI disclosure principles used on its video streaming platform. Artists can update a track's disclosure status if YouTube's automatic detection tool incorrectly identifies it as AI-generated. However, the company said some disclosures will remain permanent.

YouTube introduced its automatic AI detection tool in May this year. The tool identifies content created using its AI tools, including Veo and Dream Screen. It can also flag videos containing C2PA metadata indicating that the content was fully generated using AI.

Previously, YouTube's AI labels appeared on videos when creators disclosed their use of AI-powered tools. The automatic detection system allows the platform to flag content even without such disclosures.

YouTube Music is not the first music streaming service to introduce AI labels. In August, Spotify began rolling out labels for artist profiles identified as AI-generated. Its detection system uses the badges “Likely AI Persona” and “AI Persona”.