As part of the settlement, the two companies will co-develop a licensed AI music platform that lets users create, stream, and share music within a secure, rights-protected ecosystem.
.jpg)
Universal Music Group (UMG) has taken two major steps toward shaping the future of AI-powered music creation, announcing new partnerships that signal a bold yet responsible approach to innovation.
In a landmark move, UMG has settled its copyright infringement lawsuit with AI music platform Udio. As part of the settlement, the two companies will collaborate on a fully licensed AI music creation platform, enabling users to create, stream, and share music in a secure, rights-protected ecosystem.
The new platform will incorporate advanced fingerprinting, filtering, and content protection technologies to safeguard intellectual property, while existing Udio services will continue during the transition phase. Under the agreement, UMG artists and songwriters will benefit from new licensing structures covering both recorded music and publishing, ensuring fair compensation for creative contributions in the AI age.
In a separate but equally significant announcement, UMG unveiled a strategic partnership with Stability AI to co-develop next-generation professional AI music tools. These tools will be designed to enhance,not replace,the creative process, empowering artists, songwriters, and producers through responsibly trained generative AI.
As part of the collaboration, Stability AI will work closely with UMG’s research, product, and artist teams to explore how creators can best use AI in recording, composition, and production.
Michael Nash, Chief Digital Officer & EVP at UMG, said,“Our artists and songwriters are the cornerstone of everything we do. With AI, as with every innovation, our goal is to build tools that empower their creativity and success. We will only advance AI products trained responsibly, and we’re excited to collaborate with Stability AI to align technology with the creative ambitions of our artists.”
Prem Akkaraju, CEO of Stability AI, added,“UMG has always led technological change in music. This partnership represents the next evolution of that leadership, putting the artist at the center of how AI is built and used. True transformation happens when art and science move forward together.”
UMG described these new alliances as part of a broader set of “industry-first AI-related partnerships” that also include collaborations with YouTube, TikTok, Meta, KDDI, KLAY Vision, BandLab, Soundlabs, and Pro-Rata. Each initiative, UMG said, is designed to foster innovation without compromising artistic integrity or creators’ rights.
With the Udio platform and Stability AI tools set to roll out soon, UMG is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era,one where AI-generated music is built in partnership with artists, not in defiance of them, merging creativity and technology to redefine what’s next for music creation.