Apple is preparing to change the way it presents content created with the help of artificial intelligence on Apple Music, introducing a special “Made With AI”. According to information cited by The Hollywood Reporter, the company has already informed its music industry about the upcoming change, which is expected to be visible to all users of the service.
From optional to mandatory labels
The new label will apply to content that has been created to a significant extent using artificial intelligence tools. Apple's goal is to let listeners know when a song, composition or other related material has been largely produced by generative AI, without necessarily meaning that every element of the work was created by a machine.
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The initiative is a follow-up to the Transparency Tags, which Apple introduced last March. Initially, the tags were voluntary and gave creators and content providers the ability to inform the public about their use of AI.
The system could cover different parts of a music release, such as the cover art, the song itself, the lyrics, and the music video. At the same time, Apple left it up to the providers themselves to decide whether a work should be classified as artificial intelligence-generated.
The new policy changes that approach. Apple has now informed its partners that the relevant labeling will be mandatory when artificial intelligence has been used to create a significant portion of the content.
What is considered AI content?
Of particular interest is the way Apple defines AI-generated content. It includes, among other things, material that comes primarily from a generative AI service.
This means that simply using an AI tool for a limited task does not necessarily lead to the same treatment as a song that was essentially produced by an AI platform. This distinction is important, as AI is now used at many different stages of music production, from composition and lyrics to audio editing and artwork.
The explosion of AI-generated uploads
Apple's decision comes at a time when AI-powered music production is growing exponentially. Oliver Schusser, vice president of Apple Music, told Billboard in April that more than a third of monthly uploads to the platform are generated entirely by artificial intelligence.
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Despite the huge number of uploads, this music accounts for less than 0.5% of total listening. This difference shows that the mass production of AI content does not automatically translate into corresponding audience appeal.
Apple already has an internal mechanism for identifying AI-generated, but it still needs the cooperation of creators and providers to properly declare the origin of a work.
Why the new indicator matters
Mandatory labeling can act as a transparency tool in a market where it is increasingly difficult to distinguish human creation from algorithmic production. At the same time, it can help listeners better understand what they are listening to and make more informed choices.
The change also has broader implications for artists, record labels, and creators, as the growing presence of AI raises questions about copyright, authenticity, and the value of human creation.
Release coming later this year
Apple hasn't announced a specific date for the new labels to be enabled in Apple Music. In its email to partners, it only says that the "Made With AI" labels will appear later in 2026.
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The move, however, shows that Apple is choosing to address the rise of AI-generated music not with exclusion, but with more information to the user. The next big question is whether similar practices will be adopted by other major streaming services, as artificial intelligence is now becoming a permanent part of modern music production.
