Tidal just drew a line in the sand on AI music 100% AI-generated tracks wont earn royalties on the music streaming platform
Date:
Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:53:01 +0000
Description:
Tidal wants to stem the tide of AI-generated music, and is "currently working with an external partner to manage detection"
FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Tidal has published a new
policy on AI-generated music content Along with labelling 100% AI tracks, it targets "substantially generated" stuff too Tidal "will not tolerate AI-generated music that impersonates an artist or group" Tired of the AI slop in your music or tracks your delicate ear perceives to be AI-generated in recommended playlists? You're not alone.
In a welcome move for recording artists, their parents, their loved ones, and just lovers of original musical works with human vocals, hi-res music streaming giant Tidal has published a comprehensive AI policy with the strapline "Promoting Fairness and Economic Empowerment in the Era of AI-Generated Music". The publication of the policy follows extensive progress in this area from Deezer, with its free AI-detection tool that works on any streaming platform , Bandcamp's strong and concise anti-AI stance set out in January of this year, Apple 's March-issue (but somewhat shaky) 'Transparency Tags' which rely on record labels and distributors to tag AI content in Apple Music, and Spotify's er, Verified by Spotify badge , which certifies that an artist is human, but doesn't help filter out the slop from any generated playlists. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:
Tidal's stance, while not before time, is particularly firm. The company's extensive six-point document was published today (Monday, June 29) and opens with the statement:
"Tidal defines AI-generated music as music that is wholly or substantially generated by generative artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are not new to music creation, they have just become more commonplace and advanced. Our policy as it relates to AI-generated music is intended to capture recent developments in and the rapid proliferation of text-prompted AI music generation." You may like Deezer reports nearly half
of new music uploads are AI-generated Apple Music executive says over a third of uploads are 100% AI-generated Spotify user creates tool to filter AI-generated music out of their sessions
The missive adds that while the streaming platform will accept AI-generated music ("Artists should have the freedom to create with AI tools, and
listeners should have the autonomy to choose the type of content they consume"), it will "hold AI-generated content to a higher standard of content integrity". How? By identifying it, tagging it (by mid-July of this year) and crucially, not paying any streaming royalties for it. The tide is turning on text-prompted AI music creation Interestingly, Tidal is seemingly looking to go even further than Deezer here. While the rival platform's anti-AI filter currently works only on 100% AI tracks, Tidal's policy states: "As AI-detection methods become more reliable, we will expand this tag to content that is substantially AI-generated". Bold. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
The Tidal document adds, "But the responsibility to identify and tag AI-generated content should not rest with Tidal alone. We expect and will begin to enforce that content distributors identify AI-generated content before it reaches our platform."
So, a two-pronged attack on AI? It's a move that can only be seen as a win
for musicians and bands. That said, it remains to be seen how effective Tidal's specific anti-AI software will be and also, who exactly is helping the company achieve its admirable aims.
I asked Tidal whether it had perhaps implemented Deezer's anti-AI tool (which the company made available to rivals back in January and subsequently offered to anyone who wanted to check their playlists for AI tracks regardless of the streaming service) and was told "We're currently working with an external partner to manage detection."
So it seems Tidal is keeping its cards very close to its chest regarding how it's going to make good on the policy. Either way, it's a positive step in
the fight to keep music and musicians (a)live. The best turntables for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons
Read our full guide to the best turntables 1. Best overall: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo 2. Best cheap beginner deck: House of Marley Revolution 3. Best budget Bluetooth deck: Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT 4. Best premium Bluetooth deck: Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us
as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.
======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/audio/tidal-just-drew-a-line-in-the-sand-on-ai-music -100-percent-ai-generated-tracks-wont-earn-royalties-on-the-music-streaming-pl atform
--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)