ElevenLabs, a company specializing in AI voice and audio generation, will provide the underlying models to power these creative features.
The agreement matters because it provides a legal framework for integrating copyrighted material into generative AI, a major point of contention in the music industry.
According to ElevenLabs CEO Mati Staniszewski, the collaboration aims to ensure that artists and songwriters are fairly compensated when their intellectual property is used to create new digital content.
This move places UMG at the center of the AI infrastructure landscape, following similar licensing deals the label has struck with companies like Nvidia, Spotify, and YouTube.
Artists will have the choice to participate in the platform on an opt-in basis, meaning they can decide whether their work is available for AI-assisted fan experiences.
The new service will function separately from ElevenLabs’ existing music generation products and will utilize UMG’s specific rights management expertise to track usage.
The companies also plan to expand their collaboration to include additional digital fan experiences over the coming years.