Spotify shared new details about an AI music tool during its second quarter earnings call on Tuesday. The tool will let fans make covers and remixes of songs, but only with the artist's permission.
The company said Merlin has joined the project. Merlin is a licensing partner that works with independent labels and distributors.
Universal Music Group was already part of the AI music effort before Merlin joined. Adding Merlin brings more than 30,000 labels into the project's catalog.
How the Tool Will Work
Fans will be able to use AI to create covers and remixes of songs from artists who choose to take part. Artist consent is required before any song can be added to the catalog.
Spotify said artists will also get credit for their work. The company said artists will be paid when their music is used in a fan made remix or cover.
Spotify co-CEO Alex Norström said the plan combines consent, credit, and payment. He called it the first legal way for artists to take part in the AI music trend.
Co-CEO Gustav Söderström said the product is about real artists, not fake ones. He said normal generative music will keep happening with or without Spotify, but this tool depends on real artists choosing to join.
Söderström also said no other company can offer this kind of product right now. He said it needs to exist so current artists have a way to take part in AI music trends.
AI Music Growth on Streaming Platforms
AI generated music has grown quickly across streaming platforms. Music streamer Deezer recently said more than half of daily track uploads on its platform were made with AI.
That number was close to 10% in January 2025. The jump shows how fast AI generated music has spread in a short period of time.
Spotify positioned its new tool as different from other AI music services. Those other services have been used to create fully artificial songs without artist involvement.
Spotify said a research preview of the covers and remix tool will launch first. It will only be available to a small group of users at the start.
The company said artists will not need to upload their entire music catalog to join. A smaller set of songs will be enough to take part in the preview.
Spotify did not share an exact date for when the preview will become available. The company said more details will come as the product moves closer to launch.
The tool will be offered as a paid add-on once it becomes widely available. Spotify said this creates a new way for artists to earn money from their music.
