Spotify plans AI feature for remixing existing songs

Spotify is working on a feature that allows AI to create remixes and cover versions of songs. The music streaming service has already concluded advance license agreements with rights holders for this purpose, reports the Tech Newsletter Sources.

Spotify expects this to create a new platform and value creation layer, through which creatives can remix existing music and publish it on Spotify, with revenue that should flow back to the original rights holders. “That’s a huge missed opportunity for artists,” says Spotify's Co-CEO Gustav Söderström.

When introducing AI functions, Spotify wants to obtain the consent of the rights holders and acquire appropriate licenses. “There’s a legal way of doing this. For good or bad, we’re taking the legal one,” says Söderström.

So far, there are no corresponding products from Spotify, and Söderström did not comment on a timeline for the planned feature. However, general skepticism towards artificial intelligence and its impact on artists is not a stumbling block on Spotify's product roadmap, says the Co-CEO. He described the fears as understandable, as AI is causing “a tremendous amount of change.”

Spotify focuses on expansion and control with AI

Söderström is considered an AI advocate and recently caused a stir with the statement that his best engineers no longer write their code thanks to AI but only monitor it. He tells the tech newsletter that instead of cutting developer jobs, Spotify prefers to release more features with the help of AI.

This includes an increasing number of AI features. Just last week, Spotify announced the “Taste Profile” feature, which allows users to influence the recommendation algorithm by telling the AI what they dislike about suggestions and what should be improved. It follows the still-in-beta feature “Prompted Playlist,” which allows playlists to be created by AI based on text input.

The current plans for AI remixes align with Spotify's AI course so far. The service intends not only to use generative AI for new tools but also to define clear rules for its use. While Spotify is working with major labels on “responsible” AI products, the platform is simultaneously taking action against AI spam and lack of labeling for AI music.

With its AI remix plans and the targeted licensing model, Spotify, as the world's leading music streaming service, could establish a new model for dealing with music licenses and artificial intelligence. However, it remains to be seen whether the labels will go along with it and what concrete form these plans will take.

(mki)