A coalition of major and independent music companies — including Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Believe, BMG, Concord and HYBE Corp. — has proposed a set of principles governing when AI-assisted recordings can qualify for official music charts. Announced on 29 July 2026, the framework aims to draw a clear line between human-led creativity and tracks that are purely synthetic, unauthorised, or boosted through fraudulent streaming, ensuring charts remain "an authentic celebration of human artistry" while still permitting legitimate uses of AI in the creative process.

Under the proposed rules, a recording made with generative AI should be excluded from official charts unless it meets all six criteria: any AI tools used must be properly authorised and lawful; the track must be substantially human-made; it must raise no stream or chart manipulation concerns; it must comply with copyright and personality-rights law; its release must not breach the AI service's terms of use; and any AI involvement must be clearly disclosed to consumers. The companies, whose roster also includes Dirty Hit, Glassnote, Mom+Pop and Partisan Records, say they intend the principles as a "unified roadmap" for chart compilers and industry bodies worldwide. The announcement follows a separate initiative from the RIAA and IFPI, backed by groups including the Recording Academy and SAG-AFTRA, proposing voluntary "AI-generated" and "AI-assisted" labels for tracks on streaming platforms.