Tidal draws a line: AI music gets zero royalties

Tidal is making a call on the AI music question. The platform will demonetize 100% of AI-generated tracks — no royalties at all — and stamp those tracks with a visible icon so listeners know what they're hearing. The policy took effect July 15.

Tidal built its name on working directly with musicians and pushing better audio quality. This moves the needle: it's not just labeling AI tracks as it did with Spotify, it's cutting them off from the money. A label alone doesn't touch a wallet. Zero royalties do.

Why this matters for us: the musicians in our communities who hustle on these platforms — the ones who put in the hours and own their masters — finally have a platform that protects their income when the AI flood comes.