Namibian Artists Welcome AI Music Labels

NAMIBIAN musicians have welcomed a new global labelling system for artificial intelligence- (AI) generated music, saying it could improve transparency, strengthen copyright protection and help listeners distinguish between human-created and AI-generated music.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) introduced the system earlier this month to classify sound recordings as either “AI-generated” or “AI-assisted”.

The labels will use visual icons supported by metadata and backend delivery systems, allowing streaming platforms and other digital music services to indicate how AI was used in creating a recording.

The system is intended for global adoption and will evolve alongside advances in technology and changing legal requirements.

Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) board chairperson Joseph Ailonga says the initiative would improve transparency as AI becomes increasingly common in music production.

“AI integration into music production is an ongoing evolution; audiences may not always distinguish between human-composed and AI-generated content. However, this platform provides the essential transparency to differentiate between AI-generated and AI-assisted works,” Ailonga says.