Spotify and Universal Music Group have announced a new partnership that will allow fans to create official AI-generated song covers and remixes using music from participating artists and songwriters.
The feature is expected to roll out as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium subscribers, giving users access to AI-powered music creation tools while opening a new revenue stream for artists and rights holders.
According to the companies, the system will operate under licensed agreements covering both recorded music and publishing rights. Fans will be able to create and share AI-assisted versions of songs, while all Spotify users will still be able to listen to the finished tracks on the platform.
Spotify says the new tool is being built around artist permission, proper credit, and compensation. Participation will be completely optional, meaning only artists and songwriters who approve their catalogs for use will be included in the feature.
Alex Norström said the company sees fan-made remixes and covers as the next evolution of music interaction on streaming platforms, adding that Spotify wants the system to benefit both creators and listeners.
Meanwhile, Lucian Grainge described the initiative as an artist-focused approach to AI that could strengthen fan engagement while creating additional income opportunities for musicians and songwriters.
The announcement comes after Spotify executives previously revealed that the technology behind AI remixing was already functional, but licensing and rights agreements had delayed the launch. The new deal with Universal Music Group appears to establish the legal framework needed to move forward.
The partnership also continues UMG’s growing involvement in licensed AI music development. In recent months, the company has worked on systems involving AI-generated music, artist approvals, revenue sharing, and digital watermarking technology designed to track AI-created content.
Spotify has increasingly focused on premium features beyond standard music streaming subscriptions. Earlier reports suggested the company was considering a higher-priced “Music Pro” tier that could include advanced fan experiences such as exclusive content, enhanced audio, and AI remix tools.
The new AI feature signals a major shift in how streaming platforms may handle user-generated music creation in the future — blending fan participation with officially licensed AI technology instead of unauthorized deepfake-style content.
Spotify currently operates in 184 global markets and ended the first quarter of 2026 with more than 761 million monthly active users, including 293 million paying subscribers.
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