Spotify has announced a series of initiatives aimed at promoting transparency and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production. The Swedish streaming giant is urging artists and publishers to adopt a new metadata standard developed by the Digital Data Exchange (DDEX), a consortium of media companies, music licensing organizations, and technology firms. This standard allows tracks to be labeled as entirely, partially, or not at all created with AI, ensuring clarity for listeners and stakeholders. Sam Duboff, Spotify’s head of music marketing, confirmed that these metadata will be accessible across the platform once integrated. The move comes in response to the growing influence of AI in music, highlighted by the viral success of AI-generated tracks like those from The Velvet Sundown, which garnered millions of streams earlier this year. While the labeling system is voluntary, Spotify emphasizes that it does not intend to penalize artists who use AI responsibly. Over 15 labels and distributors have already committed to the DDEX standard. Additionally, Spotify has updated its policies to explicitly prohibit unauthorized AI use, such as deepfakes or imitations created without consent, and will remove such content. The platform’s stance reflects a nuanced approach to AI, recognizing its diverse applications in the creative process while safeguarding artistic integrity.