Google-owned YouTube announced on October 14 (local time) that it had begun displaying labels on YouTube Music for songs created primarily with generative AI. This includes songs whose music or vocals were generated with AI models. YouTube plans to extend the labels to its main YouTube app.

YouTube says generative AI is becoming a way for artists to create, experiment with and share music. It also says listeners have asked to be told when they are hearing AI-generated music. When a song in which AI played a major role is played, a label appears on the player screen; tapping it opens a menu with more information.

YouTube uses its work with music partners and its own detection tools to identify songs. It applies principles already used across YouTube. In May, Google said it would automatically label videos when it detects the use of advanced, realistic AI, even if creators have not disclosed it; YouTube’s latest blog refers to that announcement when explaining the principles.

YouTube’s help page says information about how content was made appears in the video player or description. An “AI-generated” label indicates content that was significantly altered with generative AI tools or synthetically created. It may appear on videos where creators disclosed AI use in YouTube Studio, videos made with YouTube’s generative AI tools such as DreamScreen, and videos containing valid Content Credentials that indicate the entire video was AI-generated. YouTube carries forward C2PA data from version 2.1 onward. To reduce the risk of harm to viewers, YouTube may also add labels on its own without a disclosure.

A help page for music partners says labels and other partners can disclose generative AI use in a song’s delivery metadata under three categories: “fully generated with AI,” “partially generated with AI,” or “no generative AI.” Even without a disclosure, YouTube may determine, based only on its own signals, that all or part of the content was generated with AI. YouTube is bringing these labeling methods to songs. The summary does not specify whether every song will receive a label or detail the criteria used to make that determination.

Google-owned YouTube announced on October 14 (local time) that it had begun displaying labels on YouTube Music for songs created primarily with generative AI. This includes songs whose music or vocals were generated with AI models. YouTube plans to extend the labels to its main YouTube app.

YouTube says generative AI is becoming a way for artists to create, experiment with and share music. It also says listeners have asked to be told when they are hearing AI-generated music. When a song in which AI played a major role is played, a label appears on the player screen; tapping it opens a menu with more information.

YouTube uses its work with music partners and its own detection tools to identify songs. It applies principles already used across YouTube. In May, Google said it would automatically label videos when it detects the use of advanced, realistic AI, even if creators have not disclosed it; YouTube’s latest blog refers to that announcement when explaining the principles.

YouTube’s help page says information about how content was made appears in the video player or description. An “AI-generated” label indicates content that was significantly altered with generative AI tools or synthetically created. It may appear on videos where creators disclosed AI use in YouTube Studio, videos made with YouTube’s generative AI tools such as DreamScreen, and videos containing valid Content Credentials that indicate the entire video was AI-generated. YouTube carries forward C2PA data from version 2.1 onward. To reduce the risk of harm to viewers, YouTube may also add labels on its own without a disclosure.

A help page for music partners says labels and other partners can disclose generative AI use in a song’s delivery metadata under three categories: “fully generated with AI,” “partially generated with AI,” or “no generative AI.” Even without a disclosure, YouTube may determine, based only on its own signals, that all or part of the content was generated with AI. YouTube is bringing these labeling methods to songs. The summary does not specify whether every song will receive a label or detail the criteria used to make that determination.