AI disclosures: can I use AI-generated material?

The short answer is yes! But....in the ever-evolving world of podcasting, staying in tune with the rules of the road, especially concerning AI-generated content, is crucial. Most distribution platforms, such as Apple Podcasts or YouTube, are keen on maintaining guidelines when it comes to the usage of AI generated-material.

These are specific dos and don'ts for using AI in your episodes. Let’s unpack what you need to know to keep your podcast playing smoothly on these platforms.

What Happens If You Don't Play By The Rules?

If your content strays outside the lines of what's recommended on each platform, you might find yourself facing some repercussions. When a distribution platform reasonably believes that your content does not meet their guidelines, the platform may take action to label or remove the content, and/or suspend or terminate your account in extreme circumstances.

A Closer Look at Each Platform’s AI Policies

Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts has specific guidelines regarding the use of AI-generated content to ensure transparency and maintain trust with listeners. Creators must clearly disclose when AI is used to generate a significant portion of a podcast’s audio. This disclosure should be included in both the audio and metadata for each episode and/or show.

Apple prohibits the use of AI to mislead listeners or to fabricate real-life events, such as creating fake news stories or manipulating audio clips to present false narratives. Any content that fails to comply with these guidelines, including the use of AI to deceive or mislead, may be removed or result in further actions against the creator's account.

For more information on these policies and how they may affect your podcast, please review Apple’s full content guidelines.

YouTube (Podcasts)

YouTube also has guidelines in place for creators that specify when disclosure is needed. Similar to Apple, disclosure would be required in scenarios where AI might be used to depict people saying or doing things they haven’t actually said or done. This extends to altering footage or creating scenes that never happened. 

AI generated content alterations that may not need disclosure include noise reduction or digital creations that are clearly fictional, exaggerated, or unreal, such that a reasonable viewer would not mistake them for real events or actions.

For more guidance and examples of altered or synthetic content that requires disclosure on YouTube's AI disclosure approach.