Spotify has teamed with Sony Music, Universal Music, Warner Music, Merlin and Believe Music to develop artist-first AI music products as copyright comes under attack in the new tech era.
The giant streamer said in a blog post today that it hopes to bring on additional stakeholders over time. Meanwhile, it has started building a state-of-the-art generative AI research lab and product team focused on developing “responsible” AI products that empower artists and songwriters — work that will combine its own R&D efforts with partnerships across the tech ecosystem and shaped in close consultation with artists, producers, and songwriters.
“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,” Spotify said.
Merlin is a leading digital rights music licensing partner for independent record labels and distributors. Believe is a global artist development company.
Spotify didn’t unveil any products today but called the investment envisioned by itself and its partners “significant” and laid out four underlying areas of focus. They include products for artists and fans through upfront agreements, “not by asking for forgiveness later”; choice in participation for artists and rightsholders; transparency, fair compensation and new revenue streams for rightsholders and artists; and new forms of artist-fan connection leveraging Spotify’s 700+ million monthly users.
“Stamping out the worst outcomes of Gen AI is an essential piece of the puzzle” as advances bring “both new creative possibilities and challenges for the music industry,” the post said. “It’s critical for the music industry to join forces and act together to protect creativity while enabling innovation.”
“Technology should always serve artists, not the other way around. 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,” said Alex Norström, Spotify co-president and chief business officer.
The labels have been working independently to safeguard copyright and Spotify has rolled out products like AI DJ and AI Playlist and AI .
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Spotify to develop responsible generative AI offerings that broaden opportunities for artists and songwriters,” said Sony Music chair Rob Stringer. “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.
Universal Music chief Lucian Grainge called it “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.”
And Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group said, “We support Spotify’s thoughtful AI guardrails, and welcome the opportunity to pioneer the future together.”
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