Spotify has partnered with Universal Music Group to launch AI-generated remixes and covers as a paid add-on for Premium subscribers, with artists able to opt out and collect royalties.
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<p class="has-text-align-none">Spotify and Universal Music Group (UMG) just announced a licensing deal that will allow users to prompt the creation of <a href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-05-21/universal-music-group-spotify-licensing-agreements-fan-made-covers-remixes/">AI-generated remixes and covers</a> for streaming songs. The tool will be a paid add-on for Premium subscribers. Artists will be able to opt out of the program, but those who do participate will collect royalties on these AI remixes.</p>
<p class="has-text-align-none">In October of last year, Spotify announced that it was working with UMG, as well as other major labels, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin, and Believe, to create "<a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/800629/spotify-ai-music-sony-umg-wmg-merlin">responsible AI products</a>." At the time, it was unclear exactly what that meant. But this appears to be the first product of t …</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/935379/spotify-umg-ai-covers-remix">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
# Spotify is launching AI-generated remixes
Source: [https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/935379/spotify-umg-ai-covers-remix](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/935379/spotify-umg-ai-covers-remix)
[](https://www.theverge.com/authors/terrence-obrien)
Terrence O'Brien
is the Verge’s weekend editor\. He has over 18 years of experience, including 10 years as managing editor at Engadget\.
Spotify and Universal Music Group \(UMG\) just announced a licensing deal that will allow users to prompt the creation of[AI\-generated remixes and covers](https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-05-21/universal-music-group-spotify-licensing-agreements-fan-made-covers-remixes/)for streaming songs\. The tool will be a paid add\-on for Premium subscribers\. Artists will be able to opt out of the program, but those who do participate will collect royalties on these AI remixes\.
In October of last year, Spotify announced that it was working with UMG, as well as other major labels, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin, and Believe, to create “[responsible AI products](https://www.theverge.com/news/800629/spotify-ai-music-sony-umg-wmg-merlin)\.” At the time, it was unclear exactly what that meant\. But this appears to be the first product of that partnership\.
Spotify highlighted the principles that would guide that program: Choice in participation, Fair compensation and new revenue, and Artist\-fan connection\. The launch of fan\-made covers and remixes that can be shared, but feed royalties back to the original artist, would seem to satisfy those goals\.
In a[statement](https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-05-21/universal-music-group-spotify-licensing-agreements-fan-made-covers-remixes/), Spotify Co\-CEO Alex Norström said, “What we’re building is grounded in consent, credit, and compensation for the artists and songwriters that take part\.” Sir Lucian Grainge, CEO of UMG, added that, “The most valuable innovations in the music business always bring artists and fans closer together\. That principle is at the heart of this pioneering AI\-enabled superfan initiative, which is designed to support human artistry, deepen fan relationships, and create additional revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters\.”
Spotify hasn’t said exactly when the new tool will launch or how much it will cost beyond a Premium subscription\.
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- Terrence O'Brien
Spotify has partnered with Universal Music Group to launch a paid add-on for Premium subscribers that allows fan-made AI covers and remixes, with revenue sharing for participating artists.
Spotify announced a partnership with Merlin to bring over 30,000 independent labels to its upcoming AI-powered fan remix and covers product, positioning it as a consent-based, legal alternative to AI music generators.
Universal Music Group is launching an AI-powered platform with ElevenLabs to enable users to create remixes, mashups, and new takes on tracks from its licensed music catalog, with artists having the option to participate.
Spotify partners with UMG for a new generative AI tool that lets users remix songs from the label's catalog, raising concerns about disrespecting human creativity and artists' work.
Spotify has introduced a beta feature for Premium users that enables interactive conversations with the app to choose music, using a mix of its own AI and models from multiple providers, initially available in the U.S., Ireland, and Sweden.