carefully, listen. Spotify announced Thursday that it has partnered with Universal Music Group (UMG) to allow fans to use generative AI technology to create covers and remixes of their favorite songs. The tool will launch as a paid add-on only available to Spotify’s premium subscribers and will offer a revenue share for AI-generated music based on their work with participating artists.

The company did not share pricing or a launch date for the new tool, only that the two companies reached a licensing agreement. However, there was Spotify Teased His plans last year, noting that he is working with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin, and Bellevue to develop the first AI products for artists.

AI tools “will be built through contracts first, not apologies later,” Spotify said at the time, a clear swipe at other players in the space, such as Snow.

Among Spotify’s stated principles: Artists and rights holders should be able to choose whether or not to participate in AI tools, and if they do, they should be fairly compensated.

Spotify co-CEO Alex Norstrom said in a statement about the UMG deal, “Solving difficult problems for music is what Spotify does, and what follows is fan-made covers and remixes. What we’re creating is based on consent, credit and compensation for participating artists and songwriters.” “Through every technical change, we have worked closely with Sir Lucian. [Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group] and his team to transform the music ecosystem into a more rewarding experience for fans and a more rewarding outcome for artists and songwriters.

UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grange, meanwhile, described the development as a way for artists to deepen relationships with their fans as well as create additional revenue opportunities. No word yet on which UMG artists have agreed to participate.

While services like Listen and Udio have been pioneers in the field of AI music, they proceeded on shaky legal ground when building their AI music creation tools. Not surprisingly, major labels quickly sued. Snow ended in November. to settle The $500 million lawsuit with Warner Music Group, which comes shortly after Universal Music Group (UMG) settled its lawsuit with Udio.

Listen today. Still facing copyright claims. From UMG and Sony Music, Among others. Udio, meanwhile, is Settled with Warner Music and UMG, but still working to resolve with Sony.

Seeing the demand for this type of activity from consumers, Spotify went directly to the labels for its deal. UMG could be the first of many label partnerships to come, though the company hasn’t exactly said so.

The news came amid several investor day announcements from Spotify on Thursday, including an AI-powered audiobook creation tool, AI-powered features for podcasters, a desktop app for creating personalized podcasts powered by AI, and reserved concert tickets for top fans.