The rules for AI-generated content are about as clear as mud right now. While platforms scramble to write policies, creators are left wondering if their AI experiments will get them banned or promoted. It's a weird, confusing time where the technology is racing ahead of the rulebook.

If you're a creator, you probably have questions: Can I use AI voices in my podcast? What happens when someone steals my voice to create a deepfake? Is it even legal to clone the voice of your favorite celebrity for your YouTube channel?

The answers aren't simple, and they're changing faster than most of us can keep up with. But the major platforms are finally starting to establish some boundaries—even if those boundaries look more like rough sketches than solid walls.

Here's what Spotify, Audible, and YouTube are currently saying about AI content—at least until they change their minds again tomorrow.

Spotify AI Content Rules and Guidelines

Spotify permits some AI-generated content, but strict guidelines apply.

Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, clarified in a BBC interview that AI-powered tools like auto-tune and Studio Sound—which enhance audio quality—are allowed.

However, AI-generated music that impersonates artists is strictly prohibited.

The gray area lies in AI-generated music that is inspired by an artist without directly copying their style. While not explicitly banned, the definition of 'inspired' remains vague.

This challenge extends beyond Spotify. Platforms like YouTube, as discussed below, are also grappling with defining the boundary between deepfakes and creative expression. Without clear legal regulations, these decisions are made on a platform-by-platform basis.

Spotify has explicitly prohibited AI models from training on content available on its platform.

This aligns with ongoing intellectual property lawsuits involving companies like OpenAI and Microsoft, where unauthorized AI training has sparked legal challenges.

AI Content Rules for Podcasters and Musicians

Spotify’s commitment to preventing AI training on its content ensures that creators' uploads remain protected from unauthorized AI model usage.

If you're using AI tools to create synthetic media, proceed with caution. Spotify actively removes deepfakes and manipulated content, whether it's a full track or a short clip. Given the unclear distinction between 'inspired' and 'copied,' the risk may outweigh the reward.

How Spotify's AI Content Rules Affect Listeners

Unlike YouTube and Audible, Spotify does not have a clear tagging system for synthetic content. Listeners must critically assess what they hear and conduct independent research when necessary.

Audible AI Content Rules and Policies

Audible introduced Virtual Voice, a beta program for AI-generated narration. Initially launching with 7,000 audiobooks, the number quickly grew to over 10,000 within months.

However, the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), which oversees quality control before audiobooks appear on Audible, has stricter rules. It mandates that all content be narrated by humans unless explicitly approved.

So what does this mean?

Audible appears to be gradually embracing AI-narrated books, though its subsidiary ACX has yet to fully align with this shift.

Audible prioritizes content protection. According to an ACX help guide, they employ DRM, secure streaming, and encryption to prevent unauthorized modifications or distribution.

Note: Kindle Direct Publishing allows AI-generated content, including writing, imagery, and translations, but requires disclosure by authors.

AI Content Rules for Audible Authors

Self-published authors on KDP can now create AI-narrated audiobooks without recording themselves or hiring voice artists.

However, ACX still prohibits synthetic narration, so avoid using it for audiobook uploads.

How Audible's AI Content Rules Impact Listeners

With Audible’s Virtual Voice, AI-narrated audiobooks are becoming a viable option for listeners.

YouTube AI Content Rules and Guidelines

Unlike the other platforms, YouTube is clear on their approach to allowing and moderating AI-generated content on the platform. It seems they're taking a strict stance in regard to their music industry partners and using more lax guidelines for their creators.

Similar to Spotify, some AI-generated or manipulated content is allowed on YouTube, but deepfakes aren't tolerated. In addition, they require that any YouTube users who want to upload realistic-looking synthetic content will be required to disclose this. In doing so, that content will get a label that indicates to the end user that it's altered or synthetic content.

The announcement on YouTube's official blog indicates that this disclosure is especially important for sensitive topics, which they list as being things like public health crises, ongoing conflicts, elections, and anything about public officials. And these specific topics will receive labeling in multiple areas so there won't be any confusion.

Creators who don't disclose altered or synthetic content will be subject to penalties like content removal and suspension from the YouTube Partner Program.

If you're worried about deepfakes, YouTube plans to allow viewers the ability to request removal of videos that “simulate an identifiable individual, including their face or voice.”

But don't get too excited yet. Removal of the content will be pending a YouTube review process. And this is where things get tricky.

Because the legal landscape surrounding AI and intellectual property is still being hashed out, it's up to the YouTube team to determine what's fair use and what isn't. YouTube states that some of the factors that will go into their determination are things such as:

• Whether the content is parody or satire,
• Whether the person making the request can be uniquely identified,
• Or whether it features a public official or well-known individual, in which case there may be a higher bar.

AI Content Rules for Content Creators

If you plan on using any AI-generated or altered content on your YouTube channel, it's your responsibility to not only understand their rules (and to pay attention as they evolve over time), but also to make sure that you're following their guidelines, by doing things such as tagging altered or synthetic content when you upload it.

How YouTube's AI Content Rules Affect Viewers

It's important to be discerning of the content you consume on any platform, and YouTube is no different. To start, keep an eye out for any of the platform tags that make viewers aware the content was not created by a human.

In addition to that, do your own due diligence. This may mean further researching any claims or stories you see on YouTube to be sure the information you're receiving is accurate.

Legal Framework Context for AI Content

The legal landscape for AI-generated content is rapidly evolving, particularly concerning intellectual property rights. In the U.S., AI-generated content cannot be copyrighted due to the lack of human authorship, raising challenges for creators wishing to protect their works. Moreover, the use of copyrighted material in AI training models is a contentious issue, potentially leading to legal disputes. Staying informed about regulatory changes and ensuring compliance with both platform-specific policies and broader legal frameworks is crucial for creators to avoid legal issues. For more information, refer to the Dentons AI Trends.

Ethical Considerations for AI Content

AI-generated content poses significant ethical concerns, especially regarding misinformation and privacy violations. Deepfakes, for instance, can lead to the spread of false information, affecting public opinion and privacy rights. Creators are encouraged to prioritize transparency and accountability when using AI tools, especially in sensitive contexts like political discussions or public health. This ethical approach helps maintain trust and responsibility in digital content creation. For further insights, visit Hinshaw Law's AI Regulatory Roadmap.

Identifying AI-Generated Content

None of these major platforms want their users to feel unsure about the authenticity of the content they're consuming. To the best of their ability, they'll enforce requirements that all AI-generated or manipulated content must be tagged so the audience is aware that some or all of the content they're consuming is synthetic.

Take Audible as an example. Consumers are made aware that an audiobook is virtually narrated by a tag underneath the book image that allows them to listen to a sample before purchasing. As long as you're paying attention, it's easy to identify that the narration on these audiobooks is not done by a real human.

What I like best about their approach is the option to listen into the synthetic narration before purchasing to decide whether or not they like the sound. I felt sure that I wouldn't buy an audiobook that was narrated with the Virtual Voice tools. I'm picky enough about human narration of audiobooks! But I'll admit, listening to the samples changed my mind.

The only downfall to tagging synthetic content—whether on Audible, YouTube, or any other platform—is that the responsibility is on the creator to actually disclose when the content is synthetic or modified in any way. It's safe to say that there are people who will upload and not properly identify this content, which is why end users need to be discerning when they consume any content and do additional research if necessary.

FAQs

What are the legal implications of using AI-generated content?

AI-generated content cannot be copyrighted in the U.S. due to the lack of human authorship. Additionally, the use of copyrighted material for AI training can lead to legal disputes. It's essential for creators to stay informed about evolving regulations and ensure compliance with both platform policies and broader legal frameworks. For more details, see the Dentons AI Trends.

What are the ethical concerns associated with AI content?

Ethical concerns with AI content include the potential for misinformation through deepfakes and privacy violations. Creators should focus on transparency and accountability, especially in sensitive topics like politics and public health. For more information, see Hinshaw Law's AI Regulatory Roadmap.