Major labels demand AI-generated songs be banned from global charts

Major record labels, including Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, urged chart companies worldwide on July 29, 2026, to disqualify AI-generated songs from their rankings.

They argue that only works primarily created by humans should be eligible, and that any use of artificial intelligence must be demonstrably lawful. The coalition, which also includes smaller labels and independents, also said that songs potentially committing streaming fraud should be barred.

The campaign responds to a flood of AI-generated content. Tens of thousands of such tracks are uploaded daily to platforms like Deezer, and some synthetic songs have climbed high on Billboard’s rankings and Spotify’s top-songs lists. In 2025, Spotify removed more than 75 million “spammy” tracks from its library.

Their call comes after lawsuits they filed against AI music generators Suno and Udio, alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted recordings to train models.

In July 2026, the Recording Industry Association of America and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry proposed a labeling system to flag AI-generated tracks on streaming services. Apple has introduced similar “Transparency Tags,” though labels and distributors decide whether to apply them.

Technology companies are making it easier than ever to create music with AI. Google’s Lyria Pro 3 can produce tracks up to three minutes long, complete with intros and choruses, based on simple prompts.