Universal Music and ElevenLabs build licensed AI music platform

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's largest record company, has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement and a broader strategic partnership with ElevenLabs, known for AI voice and music technology. It's ElevenLabs' first deal with one of the major record labels, and it covers both licensing and joint product development.

New AI music platform on the way

At the core of the deal is a new AI-driven music platform that ElevenLabs will launch, built on licensed music and voluntary participation from artists. Here, fans will be able to create remixes, mashups, new interpretations of songs and personalized vocal experiences with music from participating artists and songwriters. Artists can choose for themselves whether they want to take part, and their copyright is respected in the process.

The platform will be separate both from ordinary streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music and from ElevenLabs' existing music products, including the Music API and the ElevenMusic generator. The deal also covers development of more products and fan experiences in the years ahead, but the parties have not yet released details about what that will involve.

UMG's chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge says responsible AI can create new discovery, strengthen the bond between artists and fans and open new revenue opportunities for the industry. ElevenLabs' co-founder and CEO Mati Staniszewski says that combining UMG's global fan base and rights expertise with ElevenLabs' AI models should give artists new ways to create experiences for fans and ensure they are paid fairly for it.

More record labels strike AI deals

The deal isn't unique in the industry. UMG is also developing an AI music platform with Udio and has previously made AI licensing deals with Spotify, Nvidia and Klay. The same week, Suno released its first AI music model trained on licensed music from Warner Music Group, BMG and other industry partners. It paints a picture of major record labels increasingly seeking official AI music deals rather than only fighting it in court.

For you as an ordinary AI user, the deal doesn't change anything right now. No concrete product has been launched, no date has been set, and no prices or access terms have been published. For companies in music and media, however, it's worth keeping an eye on, because it could become a model for how AI and copyright can coexist going forward rather than being in constant conflict. There's no reason to react now. Wait until the platform actually launches and concrete details are available about which artists, catalogs and terms are included.

What it means for you

Right now you don't need to do anything: no product has been launched, and no price or date has been set. If you're an artist or rights holder with UMG, it could eventually give you a new, paid way to let fans remix your music with your permission. If you work with music or media, it's worth watching as a possible model for how AI and copyright can go hand in hand. Hold off on reacting until the platform actually launches and concrete terms are available.