How TIDAL Is Fighting Back Against AI-Generated Music

TIDAL just announced a big change. Starting July 15, 2026, fully AI-generated music won’t make money on its platform. The company will tag all AI tracks with a clear “AI” badge. This will help listeners spot which songs are made by machines.

TIDAL is also using automated tools to catch and remove AI music that pretends to be real artists or bands. Tony Gervino, TIDAL’s EVP and Editor-in-Chief, said, “We are committed to protecting and rewarding organic creativity.” He added, “AI’s takeover of the music industry isn’t inevitable if we take even greater steps now to monitor and control it.”

The new rules mean AI tracks can’t collect royalties or sell directly to fans. This is a clear move to protect musicians and their income. Industry experts warn that up to 25% of creators’ earnings could be at risk by 2028 due to AI music flooding the market.

AI Music Is Everywhere

Other streaming services have also set rules. Deezer reports that 44% of all new music uploaded daily is AI-generated. That’s 75,000 AI tracks every day, up from 10,000 just a year and a half ago. Deezer actively removes AI tracks from recommendations and excludes them from editorial playlists. They even offer a tool for users to see if AI music has crept into their playlists.

Despite these efforts, many listeners can’t tell AI music from human-made songs. A Deezer and Ipsos survey found 97% of 9,000 people across eight countries failed to distinguish AI tracks. Most were surprised by this result, with 71% expressing shock.

In the U.S., 60% of listeners aged 18 to 29 have heard AI music. On average, they spend about three hours per week listening to it. This shows AI music is not just a niche; it’s becoming mainstream.

Legal Battles and Industry Concerns

Legal fights over AI music are heating up. The Recording Industry Association of America sued AI companies Suno and Udio back in June 2024 over claims about their training data. Several major labels settled out of court, including Warner and Universal Music Group in late 2025. Sony has not settled and faces a hearing in July 2026.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in March 2026 that purely AI-generated works with no human input can’t be copyrighted. However, works with human oversight can still be protected. This ruling adds a legal layer to the debate over AI music’s place in the industry.

Meanwhile, the American Federation of Musicians sued Warner and Universal in June 2026. They argue that labels licensed recordings to AI companies without paying performers. A coalition of 31 creator groups also called for more transparency and fair pay from labels and AI firms.

Spotting AI Music and What’s Next

A recent research paper outlined five ways to identify AI music: fast production, no public presence, single-person credits, genre-specific polish, and results from independent detectors. But detection isn’t foolproof. Another study found even top AI detectors struggle when tracks are altered with pitch shifts or noise.

Some AI music artists like Eddie Dalton and IngaRose have already found chart success. This shows AI music can reach big audiences despite the controversy. The AI music company Suno raised $400 million in June 2026, reaching a $5.4 billion valuation. This reveals how much money and interest AI music is attracting.

TIDAL’s new policy joins others like Bandcamp’s ban on AI music from January 2026. It marks a clear stand to preserve human creativity. As AI music grows, platforms must balance innovation with fairness for creators. TIDAL’s approach shows one way to do that.