Universal Music Group (UMG) and AI audio company ElevenLabs have entered into a multi-year licensing agreement and strategic collaboration to develop an AI-powered music platform for fans and new AI audio products for artists and songwriters.
The partnership is ElevenLabs’ first agreement with a major music label and will cover music licensing as well as product development. The companies said the collaboration will focus on responsible AI innovation while recognising human artistry and enabling artists and songwriters to participate in the value created.
The first initiative will be an AI-powered music creation platform built around licensed music and artist participation. Currently in development, the platform will allow fans to interact and co-create with participating artists’ music through remixes, mashups, new interpretations and personalised vocal experiences.
UMG and ElevenLabs also plan to develop additional AI-powered products and fan experiences in the coming years.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group said, “The most exciting possibilities for AI and music are those that put artists, songwriters, and fans at the center. UMG and ElevenLabs are aligned that responsible AI can inspire discovery, deepen engagement between artists and fans, and unlock new revenue opportunities for the creative community. ElevenLabs’ leadership in AI audio brings a new dimension to our growing ecosystem of partners committed to expanding what’s creatively and commercially possible for human artistry.”
Mati Staniszewski, Co-founder and CEO, ElevenLabs said, “AI opens up incredible possibilities for interacting with our favorite music and artists. By combining UMG’s global community and rights management expertise, with our AI models and products, we’ll enable artists and songwriters to create powerful new experiences for their fans, and ensure they are fairly compensated.”
The new platform will operate separately from ElevenLabs’ existing music products, including its Music API, which provides access to its music-generation models, and ElevenMusic, its platform for creating and editing original songs.
