Apple Music introduces metadata tags to disclose AI-generated content

Today, Apple introduced new metadata tags that will let record labels and distributors disclose when artificial intelligence was used in the creation of music, artwork, and more. Here are the details.

Tags will be required ‘when delivering new content to Apple Music in the future’

According to an email distributed to Apple Music partners earlier today, the company will now require AI transparency tags for new content delivered to the platform.

From the email:

The new Transparency Tags will include four tag types that correspond to the main creative elements of digital music content:

• Artwork: AI was used to generate a material portion of the artwork for an album. This applies to both static and motion graphic artwork.
• Track: AI was used to generate a material portion of a sound recording. This tag is available at the track level only.
• Composition: AI was used to generate a material portion of any music composition embodied in a track. Use this tag when AI generated a material portion of the lyrics, or other components of a composition.
• Music Video: AI was used to generate a material portion of the visual elements. This applies to music videos bundled with albums and standalone videos.

Apple says that the new requirements will apply when “a material portion of the content has been created using AI,” and that multiple tags can be applied to the same content.

Interestingly, Apple will also leave it to the discretion of each partner “to determine what qualifies as AI content,” much like how partners already handle metadata such as genres and credits.

The company says that the new tags are a first step to “bring greater transparency about AI-generated content,” as the industry adjusts to the new creative possibilities afforded by generative technology.

Alongside today’s announcement, Apple also updated the Apple Music Package Specification material, and more details can be found here.

Apple Music requires an active subscription. You can sign up for $10.99 per month, with 1 month free.

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