Apple Music is introducing a new way to flag AI-generated music. However, it’s relying on the music industry itself to disclose it.
As reported by Music Business Worldwide, the streaming service has launched Transparency Tags, a new metadata system that allows record labels and distributors to mark when artificial intelligence has been used in different parts of a release.
The tags can be applied immediately. Eventually, they will become a requirement when partners deliver new content to the platform.
Rather than analysing songs itself, Apple is placing the responsibility on the supply chain. Labels and distributors will decide whether a track or release qualifies as AI-generated. They will apply the tags during the delivery process – this is similar to how genres or credits are currently submitted.
The system covers four areas of a release. Artwork tags flag when AI is used to create album artwork or other visuals. Track tags indicate that AI helped generate the sound recording itself. Composition tags apply when lyrics or other songwriting elements are created using AI. Meanwhile, Music Video tags identify AI-generated visuals tied to releases.
Apple says the goal is to give the industry better visibility into how generative AI is being used in music production. In a note to industry partners, the company described the tags as a “first step”. This is toward building clearer policies and best practices around AI-created content.
The approach stands in contrast to how some rivals are tackling the issue. Streaming platform Deezer, for example, has built its own AI detection system. It scans uploads automatically rather than relying on labels to self-report.
That difference matters given how quickly AI-generated music is growing. Deezer said earlier this year that it now receives more than 60,000 fully AI-generated tracks every day. Synthetic music now accounts for roughly 39% of all uploads to the platform.
The company also claims most of that content is tied to streaming fraud rather than artistic experimentation. According to Deezer, up to 85% of streams on AI-generated tracks were fraudulent in 2025. Those plays were removed from the royalty pool.
Apple’s Transparency Tags don’t currently include a visible enforcement mechanism or verification system. This means the accuracy of the labels will largely depend on the honesty of the distributors supplying the music.
For now, though, Apple’s move signals that AI disclosure is quickly becoming the next battleground for music streaming platforms.
