TIDAL Demonetizes AI-Generated Music. Will Other Streaming Platforms Follow Suit?

Music streaming service TIDAL is joining a movement that could define the next era of music streaming. It just announced that AI-generated music will not be monetizable on its platform in a move to ensure royalties go to original works directly produced, written, and performed by people.

In TIDAL’s recently released AI policy, it describes AI-generated music as “music that is wholly or substantially generated by generative artificial intelligence.”

While TIDAL will still accept AI-generated music — provided it meets the standards and terms and conditions of its new AI policy, as well as in its agreements with rightsholders and distributors — the streaming platform will start identifying and tagging AI-generated music.

Moreover, AI-generated music associated with fraudulent activity, such as impersonation, will be blocked and removed from the platform.

Why TIDAL Is Demonetizing AI-Generated Music

TIDAL Executive Vice President and Editor-in-Chief Tony Gevino wrote on the company’s website that the platform is “not here to bash technological advancement.” Instead, it is taking greater steps to monitor and control AI’s growing presence in the music industry.

“We are committed to protecting and rewarding organic creativity to avoid compromising an artist’s ability to connect with and build their fandom from Tidal subscribers,” the statement reads. “Many have told us they do not want to be exposed to — or prompted to listen to — wholly AI-generated music.”

Robert Andersen, lead developer at TIDAL under the financial technology company Block Inc., said the platform has received an “overwhelming amount of AI” from third-party distributors. He added that the new policy is “designed to provide a great experience for our listeners, while protecting the authenticity and livelihoods of artists and rights-holders.”

Back in January, competitor Bandcamp announced a ban on AI-generated music. Apple Music also announced in March that it would begin labeling music created with AI. According to Billboard, AI-generated music on Apple Music accounts for less than 1 percent of plays on the platform.

These streaming platforms are taking careful steps to slow, and perhaps even halt, the proliferation of AI-generated music. The hope is that bigger platforms follow suit.