Spotify and Universal Offer Licensed AI Remixes to Premium Users

Spotify and Universal Music Group on Thursday announced a paid add-on for Spotify Premium that will let subscribers generate licensed AI covers and remixes using recordings from artists and songwriters who opt in. Revenue from those AI-created works will be shared with participating rights holders.

The tool uses generative AI to produce new versions of existing recordings on the Spotify platform. Only tracks from rights holders who join the program will be available for remixing, and payouts will be allocated to participating artists and songwriters based on the AI-generated output created on the service.

Universal Music Group chairman and chief executive Lucian Grainge called the initiative an “AI-enabled superfan” offering intended to support human artistry, deepen fan relationships and create additional revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters.

Spotify co‑CEO Alex Norström wrote that the product aims to set standards for consent and payment in AI-generated music and is “grounded in consent, credit, and compensation for the artists and songwriters that take part.”

The companies did not provide a public launch date or full details on how revenue will be calculated and distributed. They said they will release lists of participating songs and songwriters and other specifics as the product rolls out.

The agreement comes after industry concern in 2023 when a synthetic track that mimicked the voices of major artists appeared on streaming services and was later removed at Universal’s request. Some performers have since taken legal and trademark steps to protect their voice and image after fake AI endorsements and deepfakes circulated online.

Other technology companies are also introducing user-facing AI remix tools. At a developer conference this month, a major video platform unveiled a Shorts Remix feature that uses generative models to let users transform videos into stylized edits.

Spotify and Universal said the program will operate only with rights holders who opt in, and that participating artists and songwriters will receive payments tied to AI-created works produced on Spotify.