Audiophilepure

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/news/0726

TIDAL has officially become the first major streaming platform to cut off royalties for fully AI-generated music, marking a decisive shift in how the industry handles synthetic audio content. With the elimination of the controversial MQA music format, this may be another step in the right direction for TIDAL. Announced on June 29th, the policy states that tracks identified as 100% AI-generated will remain streamable but will no longer earn royalties or qualify for direct-to-fan sales, with enforcement beginning July 15. The company will also introduce a visible “AI” badge next to any track deemed wholly machine-made, giving listeners clear insight into how the music was created. TIDAL says this transparency is essential as its catalog has been increasingly flooded with AI-generated submissions from third-party distributors. The platform’s leadership emphasized that the move is not anti-technology but rather a protection of human creativity and artist livelihoods. 

Beyond demonetization, TIDAL is taking a hard stance against fraudulent AI content, including songs that impersonate real artists or mislead listeners. Automated detection tools will identify and remove such uploads, aligning TIDAL with a growing industry trend toward policing synthetic music. Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and the audiophile lossless Hi-Res Music fave Qobuz have all introduced AI-labeling or filtering systems, but TIDAL’s approach stands out by directly targeting revenue streams, not just visibility. Industry analysts suggest the policy could reshape how AI music is distributed. By eliminating financial incentives, TIDAL may reduce the volume of fully AI tracks while encouraging creators to use AI collaboratively rather than as a total replacement for human artistry. The company calls its new AI policy a “living document,” signaling that further updates will follow as detection tools improve and the market evolves. TIDAL’s decision arrives at a pivotal moment: AI-generated music uploads are surging across streaming platforms, and concerns about impersonation, spam, and artist displacement continue to grow. By prioritizing human-made work in its royalty system, TIDAL positions itself as a champion of authentic, organic creativity—and sets a precedent other services may soon follow.