News in Short
- Spotify partners with Merlin for its AI music project.
- Merlin represents over 30,000 independent labels and distributors.
- The AI tool will let fans create authorised covers and remixes.
- Participating artists will receive credit and compensation.
- Spotify plans to launch the feature as a paid add-on.
Spotify has expanded its upcoming AI-powered remix and covers platform by partnering with Merlin, bringing more than 30,000 independent labels and distributors into the project. The move significantly broadens the music catalog that could become available when Spotify launches its AI tool, which lets fans create AI-generated covers and remixes using music from artists who choose to participate.
Unlike many AI music platforms, Spotify says the feature is designed around artist consent, attribution and compensation.
More artists join Spotify’s AI music plans
Spotify announced the partnership during its second-quarter earnings call. Merlin joins Universal Music Group (UMG), which had already signed up for the AI music initiative.
The addition of Merlin greatly expands the pool of artists whose music could be used for AI-generated remixes and covers, provided they opt into the programme.
Built around consent instead of AI-generated artists
Spotify stressed that the product differs from AI platforms that generate entirely artificial songs.
The company said users will only be able to create remixes and covers from music provided by artists who explicitly agree to participate. Artists will also receive proper credit and financial compensation whenever their work is used.
Spotify Co-CEO Alex Norström said the platform aims to create the first legal way for fans to experiment with AI-generated music while ensuring creators benefit from the technology.
Research preview coming first
Spotify plans to launch the feature as a research preview for a limited number of users before a wider rollout.
The company has not announced a launch date. However, executives said the service will debut as a paid add-on rather than being included with standard Spotify subscriptions.
Spotify also noted that it does not need its entire music catalogue to begin testing the feature.
AI music continues to reshape streaming
The announcement comes as AI-generated music continues to grow across streaming platforms.
Spotify believes authorised AI tools could offer artists a new revenue stream while giving fans creative ways to interact with their favourite music without raising copyright concerns.
