Major labels propose banning AI songs from charts

On July 31, 2026, major record labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group proposed rules that would block songs created with generative AI from appearing on international music charts unless they meet strict criteria. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) supported the proposal, but no charting organization has indicated plans to adopt it.

To be chart-eligible, a recording must use only authorized and lawful AI services; be substantially human-made; raise no stream or chart manipulation concerns; comply with copyright and personality-rights laws; respect the generative AI service’s terms of use; and be clearly labeled as AI-assisted on streaming platforms. What counts as “substantially human made” or what manipulation concerns would disqualify a track was left undefined. Sony Music, UMG, and Mom+Pop Music did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.

The labels’ move goes beyond a separate labeling initiative by the RIAA, IFPI, SAG-AFTRA, and others that aims to create standardized labels for AI-generated and AI-assisted music without affecting chart placement. By tying chart inclusion directly to human authorship and lawful AI use, the proposal reflects growing industry unease over AI’s impact on creative integrity and market fairness. Whether the rules take hold hinges on acceptance from chart compilers and streaming platforms.