Apple Music sent an open letter to record labels warning that songs leaning heavily on AI-generated audio won’t stay on the platform. The company asks distributors to tag any AI‑created composition, artwork or video, aiming to keep the catalog rooted in human artistry while still allowing limited experimentation.

Apple’s VP of Apple Music, Oliver Schusser, noted that AI tracks represent less than 1% of total plays and under 0.5% of streaming volume. Although one‑third of submissions are fully AI, listener engagement remains minimal, prompting the service to treat AI content as a niche, not a mainstream driver.

To enforce the new policy, Apple built internal detection tools that flag AI songs and flag manipulated streams. When an AI track appears to be boosted by fraudulent plays, the system can automatically remove it and reallocate the lost royalties to the general payout pool. This mirrors the company’s broader effort to curb spam and impersonation across its storefronts.

By mandating clear labels and deploying automated policing, Apple Music seeks a marketplace where creators can experiment without diluting the human element that defines the service’s curation. The approach reinforces a transparent ecosystem that rewards genuine listener interest.