TIDAL Takes Aim at AI-Generated Music
Music streaming service TIDAL has announced a new policy to prevent fully AI-generated music from making money on its platform, in an effort to protect and reward organic creativity from artists.
The policy, which goes into effect on July 15, 2026, will use automated tools to remove AI-generated music that attempts to impersonate an artist or a group. Fully AI-generated music on TIDAL will be identified and tagged as such, allowing listeners to see an "AI" badge next to any tracks deemed to be 100% AI. These tunes will not be able to be monetized, collect royalties, and will not be eligible for direct-to-fan sales.
The Growing Issue of AI-Generated Music
The move by TIDAL is the latest in a series of efforts by streaming services to address the growing number of AI-generated tracks filling their platforms. Other services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Qobuz, have also developed their own policies to tackle the issue.
- Spotify last year revamped its policies to label AI music and better filter spam, while still acknowledging that AI tools would be put to use in the music creation process to varying degrees.
- Apple Music also took the tagging approach.
- Deezer, which said that 44% of all new music uploaded to its platform daily is AI-generated, has taken a tougher position, actively removing AI tracks from recommendations and excluding them from editorial playlists.
"Regardless of what you are reading elsewhere, AI’s takeover of the music industry (and your recommendations) isn’t inevitable if we take even greater steps now to monitor and control it," noted Tony Gervino, TIDAL EVP and Editor-in-Chief.
A Living Document
TIDAL's policy is a "living document," meaning it's open to changes as the space evolves. The company is taking a proactive approach to addressing the issue of AI-generated music, and its policy could be an interesting test to see if demonetization could be the key to slowing the deluge of AI music.