TIDAL cracks down on AI music by cutting off monetization

Music streaming service TIDAL is the latest to take aim at AI-generated music with the introduction of a new policy that will prevent fully AI-generated music from making money on its platform. In addition, TIDAL will use automated tools to remove AI-generated music that attempts to impersonate an artist or a group, the company said.

“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. Many have told us they do not want to be exposed to — or prompted to listen to — wholly AI-generated music,” wrote Tony Gervino, TIDAL EVP and editor-in-chief, in an announcement.

He clarified that TIDAL’s new policy was not meant to “bash technological advancement,” but rather focuses on protecting and rewarding “organic creativity” from artists.

With the changes, fully AI-generated music on TIDAL will be identified and tagged as such, allowing listeners to see an “AI” badge next to any tracks deemed to be 100% AI. These tunes will not be able to be monetized or collect royalties, and will not be eligible for direct-to-fan sales, the company noted.

TIDAL’s policy joins others in the streaming music space, where services like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Qobuz have developed their own policies to address the growing number of AI-generated tracks filling their services. Spotify last year revamped its policies to label AI music and better filter spam, while still acknowledging that AI tools would be used in the music-creation process to varying degrees. Apple Music also took the tagging approach.

Deezer, which said that 44% of all new music uploaded to its platform daily is AI-generated, has taken a tougher position. It actively removes AI tracks from recommendations and excludes them from editorial playlists. It also offers its AI-detection technology to rivals and provides a consumer-facing tool that lets you see if AI music has slipped into your playlists on competing services.

TIDAL’s policy could be an interesting test to see if demonetization could be the thing to slow the deluge of AI music, which many listeners aren’t interested in.

“Regardless of what you are reading elsewhere, AI’s takeover of the music industry (and your recommendations) isn’t inevitable if we take even greater steps now to monitor and control it,” noted Gervino.

The company said the new policy is a “living document,” meaning it’s open to changes as the space evolves. It goes into effect on July 15, 2026.

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