UMG And ElevenLabs Sign Multi-Year Deal To Launch Licensed AI Music Platform

Universal Music Group (UMG) and AI audio company ElevenLabs have entered into a multi-year licensing agreement and strategic collaboration to develop a new AI-powered music platform for fans and AI audio products for artists and songwriters.

The partnership marks ElevenLabs’ first agreement with a major music label and will cover both music licensing and product development. The companies said the collaboration will focus on responsible AI innovation while recognising human artistry and enabling artists and songwriters to participate in the value created.

The first initiative will be an AI-powered music creation platform built around licensed music and artist participation. Currently in development, it will allow fans to interact and co-create with participating artists’ music through remixes, mashups, new interpretations and personalised vocal experiences.

The companies also plan to develop additional AI-powered products and fan experiences over the coming years.

“The most exciting possibilities for AI and music are those that put artists, songwriters, and fans at the center,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group. “UMG and ElevenLabs are aligned that responsible AI can inspire discovery, deepen engagement between artists and fans, and unlock new revenue opportunities for the creative community. ElevenLabs’ leadership in AI audio brings a new dimension to our growing ecosystem of partners committed to expanding what’s creatively and commercially possible for human artistry.”

Mati Staniszewski, Co-founder and CEO, ElevenLabs, said, “AI opens up incredible possibilities for interacting with our favorite music and artists. By combining UMG’s global community and rights management expertise, with our AI models and products, we’ll enable artists and songwriters to create powerful new experiences for their fans, and ensure they are fairly compensated.”

The new platform will operate separately from ElevenLabs’ existing music products, including its Music API, which provides access to its music-generation models, and ElevenMusic, its platform for creating and editing original songs.