Spotify plans to develop “responsible” AI music products in partnership with all three major music companies – Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group – as well as indie music representative Merlin and independent music company Believe.
The company stated that it is “making significant investments in AI research and product development” and has already begun building a “state-of-the-art” generative AI research lab and product team.
Spotify announced the partnerships and plans to develop “artist-first AI music products” on Thursday (October 16). It said that it aims to onboard additional rightsholders and distributors over time.
The announcement arrives just over two weeks after Spotify unveiled a suite of new policies for managing AI-generated content on its service as part of a crackdown that resulted in the deletion of 75 million “spammy” tracks from its platform over the past year.
According to Spotify, all products developed through this collaboration “will put artists and songwriters first” through the following four principles:
Partnerships with record labels, distributors, and music publishers:
Spotify said that it will “develop new products for artists and fans through upfront agreements, not by asking for forgiveness later”.
‘Choice in participation’:
The platform said that it “recognize[s] there’s a wide range of views on use of generative music tools within the artistic community” and “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”.
‘Fair compensation and new revenue’:
Spotify says that it “will build products that create wholly new revenue streams for rightsholders, artists, and songwriters, ensuring they are properly compensated for uses of their work and transparently credited for their contributions”.
‘Artist-fan connection’:
Spotify vowed that “AI tools we develop will not replace human artistry”.
Added the platform: “They will give artists new ways to be creative and connect with fans. We will leverage our role as the place where more than 700 million people already come to listen to music every month to ensure that generative AI deepens artist-fan connections. ”
Spotify said that it is already working with its industry partners to “put these principles into practice” and that its gen AI research lab and product team will be “focused on developing technologies that reflect our principles and create breakthrough experiences for fans and artists”.
According to Spotify, “this work will combine our own R&D efforts with partnerships across the tech ecosystem, all shaped in close consultation with artists, producers, and songwriters.”
SPOT said that its “goal is to ensure the future of music innovation happens responsibly, and to invite the best minds in AI to help build it”.
The company stated that it has “already begun work on the first product directions that bring these principles to life, with more to come as we continue to develop new tools and experiences for fans.”
Elsewhere in the company’s announcement on Thursday, Spotify acknowledged that “AI technology is advancing quickly, bringing both new creative possibilities and challenges for the music industry” and said that it is “critical for the music industry to join forces and act together to protect creativity while enabling innovation”.
Added Spotify: “Some voices in the tech industry believe copyright should be abolished. We don’t. Musicians’ rights matter. Copyright is essential. If the music industry doesn’t lead in this moment, AI-powered innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent, or compensation. Together with rightsholders, artists, and songwriters, we are making significant investments in AI research and product development.”
Alex Norström, Co-President and Chief Business Officer, Spotify, said: “Technology should always serve artists, not the other way around.”
Photo Credit: Jake Rosenberg, Brilliant Minds
“Technology should always serve artists, not the other way around.”
Alex Norström, Spotify
Added Norström: “Our focus at Spotify is making sure 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.”
“Our company brings deep research expertise to this opportunity and we’re actively growing our AI team and capabilities to drive the continued growth of the entire music ecosystem.”
Gustav Söderström, Spotify
Gustav Söderström, Co-President and Chief Product and Technology Officer, Spotify, added: “AI is the most consequential technology shift since the smartphone, and it’s already reshaping how 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 deep respect for creators, just as we did in the days of piracy. Our company brings deep research expertise to this opportunity and we’re actively growing our AI team and capabilities to drive the continued growth of the entire music ecosystem.”
Credit: Sony Music Group
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Spotify to develop responsible generative AI offerings that broaden opportunities for artists and songwriters, whilst enhancing the music experience for fans.”
Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group, said: “We are pleased to be collaborating with Spotify to develop responsible generative AI offerings that broaden opportunities for artists and songwriters, whilst enhancing the music experience for fans.
“This is an acknowledgement that direct licensing in advance of launching new products is the only appropriate way to build them and demonstrates how a properly functioning market benefits everyone in the ecosystem and fuels innovation. We appreciate and applaud Spotify’s leadership at this critical period.”
Photo: Austin Hargrave
“It is essential that we work with strategic partners such as Spotify to enable Gen AI products within a thriving commercial landscape in which artists, songwriters, fans, music companies and technology companies can all flourish.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group, added: “For several years we’ve been driving initiatives with our partners to put artists at the center of the conversation about Gen AI and have struck Artist-Centric agreements that establish innovative new vehicles to unlock the opportunities presented by this revolutionary technology.
“I commend Daniel [Ek], Alex and Gustav on taking these critical steps forward to advance this approach. It is essential that we work with strategic partners such as Spotify to enable Gen AI products within a thriving commercial landscape in which artists, songwriters, fans, music companies and technology companies can all flourish.”
“We support Spotify’s thoughtful AI guardrails, and welcome the opportunity to pioneer the future together.”
Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group, said: “We’ve been consistently focused on making sure AI works for artists and songwriters, not against them.
“That means collaborating with partners who understand the necessity for new AI licensing deals that protect and compensate rightsholders and the creative community.
“We support Spotify’s thoughtful AI guardrails, and welcome the opportunity to pioneer the future together.”
Photo: Anis Martin
“After supporting Spotify’s recent initiatives to strengthen AI protections, we are now thrilled to partner with Spotify to co-develop ‘value-creative AI’ tools that will fuel artist development and unlock new creative and commercial opportunities.”
Denis Ladegaillerie, Founder and CEO of Believe, added: “At Believe, we have always seen two sides to AI and GenAI. On the one side is ‘responsible AI,’ focused on artist and copyright protection, guided by our four principles of consent, control, compensation, and transparency.
“On the other side is ‘value-creative AI,’ innovations that place artists and their careers at the center, empowering creativity, accelerating music discovery, and deepening fan engagement.
“After supporting Spotify’s recent initiatives to strengthen AI protections, we are now thrilled to partner with Spotify to co-develop ‘value-creative AI’ tools that will fuel artist development and unlock new creative and commercial opportunities.”
“We actively look for partners who respect and value copyright, respect and value artists and want to enrich, not displace, the creative community.”
Charlie Lexton, Merlin
Charlie Lexton, COO, Merlin said: “Merlin’s approach to the use of AI in music is straightforward. We actively look for partners who respect and value copyright, respect and value artists and want to enrich, not displace, the creative community.
“Spotify’s principles on AI announced today demonstrate that same commitment. We are excited to work together to ensure these principles translate into products that genuinely enhance the creative and commercial eco-system – for the benefit of our independent members, their artists and their fans.”
