Spotify adds Merlin to its AI remix and covers project

Spotify says Merlin, which represents over 30,000 independent labels and distributors, has joined Universal Music Group in backing its upcoming AI-powered remix and covers product. The paid tool will let fans create AI-generated covers and remixes of participating artists' music, with artists opting in and receiving credit and compensation.

Why it matters: This is one of the larger attempts by a major platform to build an opt-in, compensated AI remixing product rather than fighting unauthorized AI music generation after the fact, a model the rest of the music industry will watch as a template for licensing AI use of copyrighted work.