AI technology is advancing rapidly, bringing both new creative possibilities and new challenges to the music industry. It is essential that the music industry joins forces and acts together to protect creativity while fostering innovation.
Eliminating the worst consequences of the AI generation is a critical piece of the puzzle. Last month, we shared steps we are taking to eliminate spam, impersonation and deception in the age of AI.
Artists and their teams also regularly tell us that emerging AI-powered music products often don’t feel like they’re designed to propel their careers, businesses, and fans. Too often they feel like short-term experiments designed to compete with each other, rather than long-term solutions designed to serve artists. That’s why Spotify has focused on using Gen AI technology to power features that connect fans and artists, like our AI DJpersonalized list of daysOr AI Playlistthat help listeners discover their favorite upcoming artists in new ways.
Today we announce our intention to collaborate with Sony Music Group, Universal music group, Warner Music Group, MerlinAnd Believe develop responsible AI products that empower the artists and songwriters they represent and connect them to the fans who support them. We hope to attract more rights holders and distributors over time.
Some voices in the tech industry say copyright should be abolished. We don’t do it. Musicians’ rights are important. Copyright is essential. If the music industry is not leading right now, AI-driven innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent or compensation. Together with rights holders, artists and songwriters, we are investing significantly in AI research and product development.
All products resulting from this collaboration will prioritize artists and songwriters, through these four principles:
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- Partnerships with record labels, distributors and music publishers: We will develop new products for artists and fans through initial agreements, not by asking for forgiveness later.
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- Choice of participation: We recognize that there is a wide range of views on the use of generative musical tools within the artistic community. Therefore, artists and rights holders will choose whether and how to participate to ensure that the use of AI tools aligns with the values of the people behind the music.
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- Fair remuneration and new income: We will create products that create entirely new revenue streams for rights holders, artists and songwriters, ensuring they are fairly compensated for the use of their work and transparently credited for their contributions.
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- Artist-fan connection: The AI tools we develop will not replace human artistic talent. They will give artists new ways to be creative and connect with their fans. We will leverage our role as the place where more than 700 million people already come to listen to music every month to ensure that generative AI deepens the connections between artists and fans.
Spotify works with partners to put these principles into practice. We began building a cutting-edge generative AI research lab and product team focused on developing technologies that reflect our principles and create groundbreaking experiences for fans and artists. This work will combine our own R&D efforts with partnerships across the technology ecosystem, all shaped in close consultation with artists, producers and songwriters. Our goal is to ensure the future of music innovation happens responsibly and invite the best minds in AI to help build it.
We’ve already begun work on initial product directions that bring these principles to life, with more to come as we continue to develop new tools and experiences for fans. We are committed to ensuring AI enhances artistry, creates new opportunities for the industry, and keeps artists at the center of music.
Alex Norström, Co-President and Chief Commercial Officer, Spotify: “Technology should always serve artists, not the other way around. At Spotify, our goal is to ensure 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.”
Gustav Söderström, Co-President and Chief Product and Technology Officer, Spotify: “AI is the most significant technological change since the smartphone, and it is already reshaping the way 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 a deep respect for creators, just as we did in the era of piracy. Our company brings deep research expertise to this opportunity and we are actively growing our team and our AI capabilities to drive continued growth across the entire music ecosystem. “
Rob Stringer, President, Sony Music Group: “We are pleased to collaborate with Spotify to develop responsible generative AI offerings that expand opportunities for artists and songwriters, while improving the music experience for fans. It is a recognition that direct licensing before the launch of new products is the only appropriate way to create them and demonstrates how a well-functioning marketplace benefits everyone in the ecosystem and fuels innovation. We Let’s appreciate and applaud Spotify’s leadership during this critical time. “
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group: “For several years, we have been leading initiatives with our partners to place artists at the center of the Gen AI conversation and have entered into artist-centric agreements that establish innovative new vehicles to unlock the opportunities presented by this revolutionary technology. I congratulate Daniel, Alex and Gustav for taking these critical steps to advance this approach. It is essential that we work with strategic partners such as Spotify to enable Gen AI products into a thriving business landscape in which artists, songwriters, fans, music companies and technology companies can all thrive.
Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group: “We have always ensured that AI works for artists and songwriters, not against them. That means working with partners who understand the need for new AI licensing agreements that protect and compensate rights holders and the creative community. We support Spotify’s thoughtful AI safeguards and welcome the opportunity to pioneer together in the future.”
Charlie Lexton, COO, Merlin: “Merlin’s approach to using AI in music is simple. We actively seek partners who respect and value copyrights, respect and value artists, and want to enrich, not displace, the creative community. Spotify’s AI Principles announced today demonstrate the same commitment. We are excited to work together to ensure these principles translate into products that enhance truly the creative and commercial ecosystem – for the benefit of our independent members, their artists and their fans. “
Denis Ladegaillerie, Founder and CEO of Believe: “At Believe, we have always seen two sides of AI and GenAI. On the one hand, “Responsible AI”, focused on the protection of artists and copyrights, guided by our four principles of consent, control, compensation and transparency. On the other, “Value-creating AI”, innovations that place artists and their careers at the center, strengthening creativity, accelerating discovery musical and deepening fan engagement. After supporting Spotify’s recent project to strengthen AI protections, we are now excited to partner with Spotify to co-develop “value-creating AI” tools that will fuel artist development and unlock new creative and commercial opportunities.
