Universal Music Group and ElevenLabs have entered into a multi-year licensing agreement and broader strategic collaboration to develop a new AI-powered music creation platform for fans and additional AI audio products for artists and songwriters.
The agreement is ElevenLabs’ first with a major record label and covers both licensing and product development. The companies said their approach is intended to support responsible AI innovation while respecting human artistry and allowing artists and songwriters to participate in the economic value generated.
The first product under the partnership will be a new AI-powered music creation platform built around licensed music and participation from artists and songwriters.
The platform is currently in development and will allow fans to co-create with music from participating artists through experiences including remixes, mashups, reinterpretations of existing tracks and personalized vocal experiences.
UMG and ElevenLabs also plan to jointly develop additional products and fan experiences over the coming months and years.
The companies are positioning the collaboration around artist authorization and licensed content rather than unrestricted use of copyrighted music in AI systems.
The new platform will be separate from ElevenLabs’ existing music products.
Those products include Music API, which makes ElevenLabs’ studio-grade music models available to businesses and developers through an API, and ElevenMusic, an application for generating and editing original songs with control over vocals, instrumentation, style and arrangement.
ElevenLabs develops AI voice, audio and conversational technologies across more than 70 languages. The company said its technology is used by millions of consumers, developers, governments and businesses, including employees at approximately two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies.
For UMG, the agreement expands its growing network of AI partnerships focused on creating new forms of artist-fan engagement while maintaining licensing frameworks and compensation for creators.
KEY QUOTES:
“The most exciting possibilities for AI and music are those that put artists, songwriters, and fans at the center. 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.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group
“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.”
Mati Staniszewski, Co-Founder and CEO of ElevenLabs
