The proliferation of music created by artificial intelligence on music streaming and podcast platforms has no signs of slowing down, but will continue to grow driven by the platforms themselves. At least, it will be the case of Spotifywhich has announced an agreement with Universal Music GroupUMG, through which users will be able create AI-generated remixes and covers from streaming songs.
UMG has one of the largest catalogs in the industry and includes labels such as Interscope Geffen A&M, Capitol Music Group, Island Records, Def Jam, Polydor and Motownamong others. Among UMG’s best-known artists are Taylor Swift, Drake, Adele, Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish.
The tool will be paid, accessible only to Premium subscribers, and artists will be able to exclude themselves from the program, although those who participate will collect rights income for AI remixes.
In October of last year, Spotify announced that it was working with UMG, as well as other major labels, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin and Believeto create ‘responsible AI products’. It wasn’t clear at the time what exactly it meant, but this appears to be the first product of that collaboration.
Spotify highlights that the principles that will guide this program are choice in participation, fair compensation and new income, and the connection between artists and fans. Releasing fan-made covers and remixes that can be shared, but return revenue to the original artist, could fit those goals.
The co-CEO of Spotify, Alex Norstromstates in a statement that ‘what we are building is based on consent, credit and compensation for the artists and songwriters who participate.’
Sir Lucian GraingeCEO of UMG, adds that ‘the most valuable innovations in the music business always bring artists and fans closer together. That principle is at the heart of this pioneering AI-powered superfan initiative, designed to support human artistic creation, deepen relationships with fans, and create additional revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters‘.
Spotify hasn’t said when the new tool will launch or how much it will cost beyond the Premium subscription.