AI Content Labelling
Starting on August 2, 2026, music releases distributed to listeners in the European Union must disclose whether generative AI was used during their creation.
This requirement applies not only to music itself, but also to cover artwork, music videos, Canvas videos, lyric videos, and other release assets that are fully or partially created using AI.
These requirements are established by Article 50 of the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) and are intended to improve transparency for AI-generated and AI-assisted content.
Who does this apply to?
The requirements apply to all rights holders whose content is available to listeners within the European Union.
It does not matter:
- where the artist lives;
- where the label is registered;
- which distributor delivers the release;
- where the content was created.
If your release is available on platforms operating in the EU, such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, or other digital music services, these requirements apply automatically.
Which content must be disclosed?
| Content Type | Disclosure Required |
|---|---|
| Fully AI-generated | ✅ Yes |
| Created by a human using generative AI tools | ✅ Yes |
| Created without generative AI | ❌ No |
If generative AI was used at any stage of the creative process, the release should be disclosed accordingly.
When is AI disclosure required?
Disclosure is generally required when generative AI is used to create or significantly contribute to a release, including:
- AI-generated melodies, harmonies, beats, or complete songs (such as Suno, Udio, AIVA, and similar services);
- AI voice synthesis or voice cloning;
- AI mastering;
- AI-generated samples or sound effects;
- AI-assisted mixing using generative technologies.
When is disclosure not required?
Traditional audio production tools are not considered generative AI simply because they automate part of the production process.
Examples include:
- equalizers (EQ);
- compressors;
- reverb;
- limiters;
- standard DAW effects and plugins.
If you are unsure whether a particular tool qualifies as generative AI, please contact our support team before submitting your release.
Does this also apply to artwork and videos?
Yes.
Article 50 of the EU AI Act applies to synthetic audio, images, videos, and other AI-generated media—not just music recordings.
If generative AI was used to create any visual assets associated with your release, these should also be disclosed where supported by the relevant platform.
- cover artwork;
- music videos;
- Spotify Canvas videos;
- lyric videos;
- promotional videos;
- any other images or videos created fully or partially with generative AI.
Please note that individual streaming services and social platforms may introduce additional AI disclosure requirements beyond those established by EU legislation.
How is AI use identified?
Many generative AI services now embed metadata, digital watermarks, or other provenance information into the content they generate.
However, the EU AI Act is primarily based on self-disclosure rather than automated detection. Rights holders are expected to truthfully declare whether generative AI was used.
If AI use is discovered later—through metadata, source files, platform audits, or other evidence—the violation is considered the failure to disclose AI involvement, not the method by which it was detected.
How does this work in Sundesire?
When submitting a release, you will be required to select one of the following options:
- AI was not used;
- AI was partially used;
- The content was entirely created using AI.
Releases cannot complete moderation until this field has been completed.
Documentation for the new API parameter will be published separately once implementation is complete.
Who is responsible for the disclosure?
The rights holder or the person submitting the release is solely responsible for providing accurate information.
Only you know how your music, artwork, and videos were created, so it is your responsibility to disclose any use of generative AI correctly.
What happens if the information is inaccurate?
The EU AI Act provides significant penalties for violations of its transparency requirements. Administrative fines may reach up to €15 million or 3% of a company's worldwide annual turnover, whichever is higher.
If our review indicates that the submitted information is inaccurate, Sundesire may:
- delay or suspend the release;
- request additional documentation;
- temporarily restrict account access until the issue has been resolved.
Best Practices
- Keep records of AI tools used during production.
- Document AI involvement throughout the creative process.
- Review your previously released catalog.
- Contact our support team whenever you are unsure whether disclosure is required.
Key Takeaways
If generative AI was used to create your music, artwork, music videos, Canvas videos, lyric videos, or any other release assets, this should be disclosed when submitting your release.
Accurate AI disclosure helps ensure compliance with the EU AI Act, reduces the risk of distribution issues, and supports transparent publishing across digital music platforms.