TL;DRTIDAL will tag fully AI-generated music with an AI badge, block it from royalties and direct-to-fan sales, and remove AI tracks that impersonate artists.
TIDAL is cutting off the money supply for AI-generated music. The streaming service announced a new policy that will prevent fully AI-generated tracks from earning royalties, collecting revenue from direct-to-fan sales, or being monetised in any way on its platform. TIDAL will also use automated tools to identify and remove AI-generated music that attempts to impersonate an artist or group.
Under the new rules, tracks that TIDAL identifies as entirely made by AI will receive a visible “AI” badge so listeners know what they are hearing. The company said it expects distributors to flag AI-generated content before it reaches the platform. The policy takes effect on July 15.
“We are committed to protecting and rewarding organic creativity to avoid compromising an artist’s ability to connect with and build their fandom from TIDAL subscribers,” wrote Tony Gervino, TIDAL’s EVP and Editor-in-Chief, in the announcement. He added that many subscribers “do not want to be exposed to, or prompted to listen to, wholly AI-generated music.” Gervino clarified that the policy is not meant to oppose technological advancement but to protect the revenue streams of human artists.
