Spotify and Universal Music Group have partnered for a new user experience to let fans recreate their favorite songs using artificial intelligence.
According to Billboard, during Spotify’s Investor Day keynote on Thursday (May 21), the streaming platform announced that Spotify Premium subscribers can use a paid-on tool to generate AI covers and remixes of licensed UMG songs.
The tool was described as inviting "additional revenue streams and new ways to drive discovery" for participating artists, who will receive an "additional source of income for artists and songwriters, on top of what they already earn on Spotify."
The feature comes as a surprise to some Spotify users considering the platform boosted efforts to get rid of "slop" AI-generated music and 75 million "spammy" tracks last year.
"Through each technological transformation, we have worked together with Sir Lucian [Grainge, CEO of UMG] and his team to evolve the music ecosystem into a richer, more beneficial experience for fans and a more rewarding outcome for artists and songwriters," said Spotify co-CEO, Alex Norström.
Before partnering with Spotify on the new AI music program, UMG entered "strategic agreements" with Udio, an AI-powered music creation platform, for a "new commercial music creation, consumption and streaming experience."
Alternatively, independent musician-based platform Bandcamp has barred the use of AI, especially forbidding tools that "impersonate other artists or styles."
