Tidal won’t pay royalties on AI-generated music but isn’t banning it outright
Music streaming service Tidal has announced new policies for AI-generated music: tracks identified as fully AI-made will be labeled, and starting today they are no longer eligible for royalties.
Tidal shared its updated policies regarding AI-generated music, aiming to protect artists and inform listeners. Instead of an outright ban, starting July 15 the platform will label tracks it identifies as 100% AI-generated with a special icon. However, effective immediately, those tracks will no longer be monetizable—royalties will not be paid.
"Tidal’s priority is ensuring royalties go to original works directly produced, written, and performed by people. We will therefore not knowingly attribute royalties to music we identify as wholly AI-generated," the company stated. While Tidal did not specify the tools used for detection, the policy notes that as detection improves, it plans to also label uploads that are "substantially AI-generated."
The platform also expects content distributors to properly label AI-generated music, and starting mid-July Tidal will remove or block AI-generated music associated with fraudulent activity, including music designed to deceive listeners, interfere with authentic artists, high-volume uploads, or unusual streaming patterns.
Tidal’s competitors have already taken steps against AI-generated music. In April, Spotify launched a verification program granting a green checkmark to artists confirmed as real people, while profiles primarily uploading AI content are not eligible. Deezer developed tools to detect fully AI-generated music upon upload to reduce its visibility, and last month created a website for users to scan their playlists on other streaming platforms for AI-generated tracks.
