Spotify is doubling down on AI-generated music

May 21-Slowly but surely, music platforms are firming up their stances on AI. As fake artists dupe hundreds of thousands of listeners and artists like Ye allegedly use the tool to punch in synthetic verses, platforms are split between embracing and rejecting the technology. In January, Bandcamp banned AI-generated music outright, in the interest of "putting human creativity first." In March, Apple Music launched a "transparency tag" system, by which labels must flag AI use in music, album art, music videos or composition. (Apparently, what qualifies as AI use is up to a label's discretion.)

Spotify, the world's most popular music streaming service, has taken a soft approach. Although it announced a series of "AI protections" last year, the streamer does not require artists to disclose AI use, although they can choose to do so voluntarily.

Now, the streamer is doubling down on AI-generated music. On Thursday, Spotify inked a licensing agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG), which would allow Spotify users to create AI-generated covers and remixes. Choosing from a pool of participating artists - presumably a large one, given that UMG is the world's biggest music company - a user can generate music in the styles of his favorite artists.

That means that there is a foreseeable future in which a Spotify user could make an AI-generated version of "Not Like Us," rendered in Drake's voice (depending on contract obligations).

In a blog post announcing the agreement, Spotify celebrated the forthcoming tool as a responsible use of AI, one that would allow participating artists to share in revenue from streams of AI-generated covers.

Laura Batey, a Spotify spokesperson, did not answer questions about the tool from SFGATE, noting that the company would have more information once the new product launches.

"Solving hard problems for music is what Spotify does, and fan-made covers and remixes are next," Alex Norström, Spotify's co-CEO, wrote in the blog post. "What we're building is grounded in consent, credit, and compensation for the artists and songwriters that take part."

According to the blog post, the tool will be offered as a paid add-on to Spotify Premium. Although it has yet to be released, it's already proving lucrative. On the day of the announcement, the company's stock shot up 13%.

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 7:13 PM.