Spotify has announced partnerships with Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin and Believe to develop AI music products focused on empowering artists and songwriters whilst protecting their rights and creative choices.
The streaming platform plans to build a generative AI research lab and product team to develop technologies creating new experiences for fans and artists. All products will adhere to four core principles: upfront partnerships with record labels and distributors, artist choice in participation, fair compensation through new revenue streams, and tools that deepen artist-fan connections rather than replace human artistry.
“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,” says Alex Norström, co-president and chief business officer at Spotify.
The partnership addresses concerns from artists that emerging AI music products feel like short-term experiments built to compete with them rather than long-term solutions designed to serve their careers. Spotify emphasised that products developed through the collaboration will require upfront agreements with rightsholders rather than seeking permission retrospectively.
Artists and rightsholders will choose whether and how to participate in generative music tools, recognising diverse views within the artistic community. The company stated that products will create wholly new revenue streams whilst ensuring proper compensation and transparent credit for contributions.
“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,” says Gustav Söderström, co-president and chief product and technology officer at Spotify.
Spotify currently reaches more than 700 million monthly listeners. The company previously deployed AI features, including AI DJ, personalised daylist and AI Playlist, to help users discover artists. The platform announced measures last month to address spam, impersonation and deception related to AI-generated content.
“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,” says Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group.
Spotify plans to expand the partnership to include additional rightsholders and distributors over time. The company stated it will combine internal research and development efforts with partnerships across the technology ecosystem, shaped through consultation with artists, producers and songwriters.
