<\/p>\n
A new step has been taken in the tumultuous relationship between artificial intelligence and the music industry.<\/p>\n
Universal Music Group and AI song generation platform Udio have reached a settlement in a copyright infringement lawsuit<\/strong> <\/a>and have agreed to collaborate on new music creation, the two companies said in a joint statement.<\/p>\n Universal and Udio say they have reached \u201ca compensatory legal settlement\u201d as well as new licence deals for recorded music and publishing that \u201cwill provide further revenue opportunities for UMG artists and songwriters.\u201d Financial terms of the settlement haven’t been disclosed.<\/p>\n Related<\/b><\/p>\n Major record labels Universal, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Records sued Udio and another AI song generator, Suno, last year over copyright infringement.<\/p>\n The suit alleged that specific AI-generated songs made on Udio closely resembled Universal-owned classics like Frank Sinatra\u2019s \u201cMy Way\u201d and The Temptations\u2019 \u201cMy Girl.\u201d<\/p>\n It was filed just weeks after more than 200 artists signed an open letter<\/strong><\/a> calling for the \u201cpredatory\u201d use of AI in the music industry to be stopped.<\/p>\n Universal CEO Lucian Grainge said \u201cthese new agreements with Udio demonstrate our commitment to do what\u2019s right by our artists and songwriters.\u201d<\/p>\n The two companies have also agreed to launch a new AI-powered music creation platform in 2026. The feature should allow users to remix and mash up their favourite songs with AI, and possibly create new music in an artist\u2019s distinct style.<\/p>\n Universal artists, which include Taylor Swift<\/strong><\/a>, Kendrick Lamar<\/strong><\/a>, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish<\/strong><\/a>, will be able to give permission for how their music can be used, Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez said in a statement. Participating artists will receive financial compensation.<\/p>\n These AI-powered creations will however be unavailable to download. AI songs made on Udio will be \u201ccontrolled within a walled garden\u201d as part of the transition to the new service, the two companies said in their joint announcement.<\/p>\n This collaborative deal is the first its kind in the ongoing power struggle between AI companies and the music industry.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, streaming platform Spotify<\/strong><\/a> said it was teaming up with Universal and Warner music groups to develop \u201cresponsible AI products\u201d but gave no additional details.<\/p>\n The rise of AI tools has fuelled debate over the technology\u2019s role in music<\/strong><\/a> while raising fears about \u201cAI slop\u201d \u2014 automatically generated, low-quality, mass-produced content \u2014 highlighted by the rise of fictitious bands passing for real artists.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMix ‘n’ match<\/h2>\n