Spotify and UMG Sign Licensing Deal to Allow for AI-Generated Covers and Remixes

Spotify and Universal Music Group (UMG) have officially signed a licensing agreement that will allow “AI-enabled superfans” to produce AI covers and remixes of participating UMG songs.

The deal, announced May 21st and reported by Billboard, paves the way for that Spotify native AI generator you may remember the Green Circle mulling way back in October. Though the company hasn’t announced a timeline, it has noted that the AI feature will be a paid add-on for premium members. Artists can choose whether or not to participate.

Lucian Grainge, CEO of UMG, framed the agreement as a “pioneering AI-enabled superfan initiative, which is designed to support human artistry, deepen fan relationships, and create additional revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters.” And here ‘superfan’ apparently means ‘supermonthlybill,’ though presumably some of that money will go back to participating artists.

In October, Spotify underlined their belief that participation with AI should remain a choice. “We recognize there’s a wide range of views on use of generative music tools within the artistic community,” the announcement said. “Therefore, artists and rightsholders will choose if and how to participate to ensure the use of AI tools aligns with the values of the people behind the music.”