The tug-of-war between technological innovation and artist protection in the age of AI may have found its frontline after Spotify announced a partnership with major record labels to develop what the company calls “responsible” AI music tools.
The agreement with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin and Believe outlines four guiding principles, according to Spotify. All AI products developed through this initiative will be licensed in advance, participation will be opt-in, artists will be fairly compensated, and the tools will aim to strengthen the connection between artists and fans.
The news arrives as concern continues to grow over how generative AI will impact creators’ rights.
“We 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,” reads a blog post from Spotify announcing the partnership.
The rise of AI in music has already sparked backlash from many artists and industry figures. Companies like Google and Meta have faced criticism for allegedly training AI models on copyrighted content without consent as platforms have seen a surge in AI-generated recordings, some even impersonating real artists. Spotify itself says it has removed tens of millions of AI tracks from its platform over the past year.
In response, Spotify says it has begun building a generative AI research lab and a dedicated product team focused on developing a new set of features. While details on what’s forthcoming have not been disclosed, recent AI-powered rollouts such as the AI DJ and Daylist suggest a continued interest in personalization and discovery.
“AI is the most consequential technology shift since the smartphone, and it’s already reshaping how music is created and experienced,” said Gustav Söderström, Spotify’s Co-President and Chief Product and Technology Officer. “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.”
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