Spotify is taking a new approach to artificial intelligence in music, announcing partnerships with the world’s three largest record labels to develop AI tools that prioritize artist rights and fair compensation.
The streaming giant, which dominates the global music streaming market, will work with Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group to create AI products that respect copyright and put creators first. Music rights firm Merlin and digital music company Believe are also joining the collaboration.
While Spotify hasn’t revealed specific details about what these AI tools will look like, the company says development has already begun on its first products.
What sets this initiative apart is its emphasis on artist consent and compensation. Spotify plans to give musicians the choice to participate, recognizing that opinions on AI-generated music vary widely within the creative community.
“Technology should always serve artists, not the other way around,” said Alex Norstrom, Spotify’s co-president.
The announcement comes amid growing concern from high-profile musicians including Dua Lipa, Sir Elton John, and Sir Paul McCartney, who have criticized AI companies for training their systems on copyrighted music without permission or payment.
Spotify has committed to ensuring artists, songwriters, and rights holders receive proper compensation and transparent credit for their work through “upfront agreements” not by “asking for forgiveness later.”
The move has earned praise from advocacy groups. Ed Newton-Rex, founder of Fairly Trained, which campaigns for ethical AI practices, told BBC News that the approach represents a departure from exploitative industry norms.
“Lots of the AI industry is exploitative – AI built on people’s work without permission, served up to users who get no say in the matter,” he explained. “This is different – AI features built fairly, with artists’ permission, presented to fans as a voluntary add-on rather than an inescapable funnel of AI slop.”
Newton-Rex cautioned that “the devil will be in the detail,” but called it “a move towards a more ethical AI industry, which is sorely needed.”
Spotify has consistently maintained that it doesn’t create music using AI. However, the platform does leverage the technology for personalized features like custom playlists, including its popular “daylist” and AI DJ.
The streaming service also hosts AI-generated music and recently announced stricter policies requiring artists to disclose AI use and prohibiting impersonation of real musicians. In 2023, a viral AI-generated track using voice clones of Drake and The Weeknd was removed from the platform.
Spotify notes that AI already plays a role in various stages of modern music production, from autotune to mixing and mastering. Even The Beatles’ Grammy Award-winning 2023 single “Now and Then” used AI to enhance John Lennon’s voice from an old recording.
“We’ve been consistently focused on making sure AI works for artists and songwriters, not against them,” said Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl. “That means collaborating with partners who understand the necessity for new AI licensing deals that protect and compensate rightsholders and the creative community.”
As AI continues reshaping the music industry, Spotify’s partnership-driven approach could set a new standard for how tech platforms balance innovation with creator protection.
