A deal struck between Universal Music Group and AI music creation startup Udio marks a brand new chapter for a recording trade buffeted by the emergence of synthetic intelligence.
“The new platform, which will be launched in 2026, will be powered by new cutting-edge generative AI technology that will be trained on authorized and licensed music,” the 2 firms mentioned in a press release on Thursday.
As but unnamed, the undertaking might be a “new subscription service” that may permit customers to “customize, stream and share music responsibly, on the Udio platform,” they added.
The assertion didn’t go into element about how the brand new platform will perform.
But apparent questions the companions should resolve embrace whether or not artists should choose in to their music being licensed, how creators might be compensated or how music generated on the platform might be distributed.
Thursday’s deal is the primary of its type within the music trade, with heavyweight UMG — the trade chief with a roster of beloved stars like Taylor Swift, The Weeknd or Lady Gaga — granting precious authorized entry to its catalogue.
UMG chief Lucian Grainge mentioned the tie-up confirmed the best way in the direction of “a healthy commercial AI ecosystem in which artists, songwriters, music companies and technology companies can all flourish,”
“Together, we’re building the technological and business landscape that will fundamentally expand what’s possible in music creation and engagement,” Udio chief Andrew Sanchez mentioned.
The two firms added that that they had settled an impressive copyright infringement case, with out specifying the monetary phrases.
The settlement for authorized licensing comes as artists, from authors to musicians and online game builders, worry being changed altogether by AI fashions educated on a long time of human-produced inventive output.
Already, music streaming platforms report a rising flood of computer-generated songs.
AI companies from trade chief OpenAI to music specialists like Udio and competitor Suno have beforehand been accused by main file firms of utilizing their songs to “train” synthetic intelligence fashions which might produce music that apes human artists.
Rightsholders have demanded stricter limits on the AI builders’ actions, together with transparency on what supply materials they’ve used and ensures for his or her income.
“The world’s largest tech companies as well as AI-specific companies, such as OpenAI, Suno, and Udio, Mistral, etc. are engaged in the largest copyright infringement exercise that has been seen,” John Phelan, director normal of the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), instructed AFP final month.
And the Recording Industry Association of America, a US commerce group, filed a lawsuit in June 2024 in opposition to each Udio and Suno.
For their half, AI companies usually argue their work is roofed by the American copyright loophole of “fair use”, which doesn’t require rights holders’ consent.
Broader talks between music firms and tech companies on the best way to license works for AI stay beneath manner.
UMG mentioned Thursday that it was additionally partnering with London-based startup Stability AI to develop new music creation instruments.
And unbiased writer Kobalt, licensing agency Merlin and AI firm Eleven Music struck a deal of their very own in August.
© 2025 AFP