Spotify announced an expanded partnership with the Big Three music companies (Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group), digital licensing company Merlin and distribution services company Believe to develop AI music products.
Spotify did not specify what specific software or AI tools the company was developing, saying only in a blog post Thursday morning that the audio streaming giant was working with partner companies to create “responsible AI products that empower the artists and songwriters they represent, and connect them with the fans who support them.”
In the blog post, Spotify said it had already started building an AI research lab and product team to develop its AI music products, adding that this was being done “in close consultation with artists, producers and songwriters” and taking into account artists’ rights to their music.
“Some voices in the tech industry think copyright should be abolished. We don’t,” Spotify said. “Musicians’ rights are important. Copyright is essential. If the music industry doesn’t lead right now, AI-driven innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent or compensation. Together with rights holders, artists and songwriters, we are investing significantly in AI research and product development.
Spotify’s announcement will likely draw significant skepticism from some artists and music fans given how controversial AI music is, and the world’s largest streaming service has already sparked controversy in recent months as bands like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Xiu Xiu pulled their catalogs from Spotify over the investment. founder Daniel Ek in the military technology company Helsing through his investment company Prima Materia. Of particular interest, however, is that all three major music companies have signed on, suggesting support from the industry’s most influential stakeholders.
Labels have mostly taken a cautiously experimental approach to AI music in recent years, licensing a few companies to create tools such as AI voice clones or music generators, but suing several developers who failed to license their models.
Alex Norström, co-president and chief business officer of Spotify, said in a statement Thursday that “technology should always serve artists, not the other way around. Our goal at Spotify is to ensure that innovation supports artists by protecting their rights, respecting their creative choices, and creating new ways for fans to discover and enjoy the music they love.”
As Spotify Co-President and Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström added: “AI is the most significant technological change since the smartphone, and it is already reshaping the way music is created and experienced. At Spotify, we want to build this future hand-in-hand with the music industry, guided by clear principles and a deep respect for creators, just as we did in the days of piracy.
Spotify listed four principles that the company said it would follow to develop its AI software. First, he touted working directly with record labels, distribution companies and music publishers, saying that “we will develop new products for artists and fans through up-front deals, not asking for forgiveness later.” The last bit of that sentence appears to be a reference to other AI music companies like Suno and Udio, which are currently facing lawsuits from record labels for massive copyright infringement.
The second principle stated was “choice to participate” in AI development, stating that “artists and rights holders will choose whether and how to participate to ensure that the use of AI tools is consistent with the values of the people behind the music.” Spotify’s blog post does not specify whether development would be opt-in or opt-out in determining training permissions.
Spotify also said the company would ensure that the products developed create “entirely new revenue streams for rights holders, artists and songwriters, ensuring they are fairly compensated for the use of their work and transparently credited for their contributions.”
Finally, Spotify said that the products created by the company “will not replace human artistry.” Instead, Spotify said, “they will give artists new ways to be creative and connect with their fans.”
Executives from all participating companies made numerous statements Thursday, all similarly describing their intent to develop ethically sourced AI tools that empower artists.
UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge, who wrote a letter to UMG staff about the company’s AI efforts earlier this week, said in a statement Thursday: “It is critical that we work with strategic partners like Spotify to enable Gen AI products to fit into a thriving business landscape in which artists, songwriters, fans, companies music and technology companies can all flourish. »
Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer said in a statement that the partnership with Spotify is “a recognition that direct licensing ahead of the launch of new products is the only appropriate way to build them and demonstrates how a well-functioning marketplace benefits everyone in the ecosystem and fuels innovation.”
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl said WMG has “consistently focused on ensuring AI works for artists and songwriters, not against them.”
“This means collaborating with partners who understand the need for new AI licensing agreements that protect and compensate rights holders and the creative community,” Kyncl said.
Merlin COO Charlie Lexton said his company was partnering with Spotify to “genuinely improve the creative and business ecosystem for the benefit of our independent members, their artists and their fans.”
Denis Ladegaillerie, founder and CEO of Believe, said: “We are now excited to partner with Spotify to co-develop value-creating AI tools that will fuel artist development and unlock new creative and commercial opportunities. »
