Spotify Partners with Major Labels to Develop 'Artist-First' AI Music Products

Spotify partners with record labels to create 'artist-first' AI music products | TechCrunch

Spotify on Thursday announced a series of deals with major record labels to develop new AI products designed ensure fair compensation and center artists and songwriters in the experience. In partnership with Sony, Universal, Warner, and Merlin, the streamer said it would develop "responsible AI" products that respect copyright, but also allow the artists to choose whether or not they want to allow the use of AI tools. Spotify didn't delve into the specifics of how the new tools would operate, but the company already offers generative AI experiences for users, including with its AI DJ that plays a personalized selection of songs and others that allow users to request playlists using AI prompts, for instance. Spotify was recently criticized for allowing an AI-generated band's music to go viral on its service, raising questions about whether the future of music would push human artistry to the side. Last month, the company revamped its AI policy to cut down on spam, particularly users who upload AI content at mass scale, create duplicates, and manipulate the search and recommendations systems. Spotify also said it would adopt the music labeling system DDEX to label when AI was used as part of the music creation process. The upcoming gen AI features follow that promise by allowing artists to opt in to using AI tools if they choose. In all likelihood, the upcoming system would allow artists to identify when their music is used in AI-generated tracks and collect some sort of payment. Spotify notes the system will expand beyond artists to include other rightsholders and distributors over time. "Some voices in the tech industry believe copyright should be abolished. We don't. Musicians' rights matter. Copyright is essential," Spotify shared in its announcementment. "If the music industry doesn't lead in this moment, AI-powered innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent, or compensation. Together with rightsholders, artists, and songwriters, we are making significant investments in AI research and product development," it read. In addition, Spotify said it has begun building a generative AI research lab and product team focused on building out new technologies that reflect its principles that artists should be able to choose if and how they participate in the AI music ecosystem. It says work on the first products has already started, and more tools will be on the way.

Spotify Is Partnering With Sony, Universal and Warner on 'AI Music Products'

Julian is a contributor and former staff writer at CNET. He's covered a range of topics, such as tech, crypto travel, sports and commerce. His past work has appeared at print and online publications, including New Mexico Magazine, TV Guide, Mental Floss and NextAdvisor with TIME. On his days off, you can find him at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque watching the ballgame. Spotify has announced a new artificial intelligence partnership with several prominent music labels. The recording branches of Sony, Universal, Warner and others will now work with the music streaming giant to develop "AI music products," they said on Oct. 16. Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. "We've been driving initiatives with our partners to put artists at the center of the conversation about gen AI and have struck artist-centric agreements that establish innovative new vehicles to unlock the opportunities presented by this revolutionary technology," said the CEO of Universal Music Group, Lucian Grainge, on Thursday. While there are few details on the AI music products that will come from these new partnerships, the joint release highlighted Spotify and the record labels' desire to respect copyright, stating: "Musicians' rights matter. Copyright is essential." The announcement also noted that artists and rightsholders will have a choice in whether and how to participate. A Spotify spokesperson told CNET that, while the project is still in early development, it aims to build products that use AI to improve the connection between fans and music artists. The spokesperson added that any AI products would follow Spotify's four principles: making agreements up-front with music rightsholders, fairly compensating them, giving artists and rightsholders a choice and strengthening the engagement between listeners and artists. "Technology should always serve artists, not the other way around," Spotify Co-President Alex Norström said. "Our focus at Spotify is making sure innovation supports artists by protecting their rights, respecting their creative choices and creating new ways for fans to discover and enjoy the music they love." It follows Spotify's announcement last month that it would use a spam filter to crack down on the unauthorized use of AI on the platform. With the filter in place, the number of AI "slop" songs unloaded on Spotify should be reduced. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) A new social media platform from OpenAI called Sora has recently made headlines for allowing people to make AI-generated videos that could feature copyrighted material, including songs and likenesses of famous people who have passed. OpenAI said copyrighted holders could opt out of letting others on Sora use their copyrighted materials before reversing its policy and saying that people would need to opt in instead. Earlier this year, Disney and Universal filed a lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney over its use of copyrighted characters. In 2023, The New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft over the use of copyrighted articles in training data for OpenAI's large language models.

Spotify says it's working with labels on 'responsible' AI music tools

The recently-rumored AI partnership between Spotify and the major record labels is now a reality. The streaming service announced today that it's entering into an agreement with Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin, and Believe to develop "responsible AI products." Unfortunately, your guess is as good as ours as to what exactly that means. Spotify didn't detail any specific products in the works but said it was building a "state-of-the-art generative AI research lab and product team focused on developing technologies that reflect our principles and create breakthrough experiences for fans and artists." Most of the press release is dedicated to vagaries and laying out the principles that will guide Spotify's generative AI projects:

Spotify moves further into AI music with Sony, Universal, Warner partnership

Meta removes Facebook page allegedly used to target ICE agents after pressure from DOJ UMG CEO Sir Lucian Grainge sent a memo to staff on Monday that the company "will not license any model" that uses an artist's voice or generates songs incorporating an artist's music without consent. "It is essential that we work with strategic partners such as Spotify to enable Gen AI products within a thriving commercial landscape in which artists, songwriters, fans, music companies and technology companies can all flourish," Grainge said in a statement. The partnership comes less than a month after Spotify cracked down on AI "slop" under the rising threat of viral AI-generated music. The streaming platform removed over 75 million "spammy tracks" over the past 12 months and rolled out policies to protect artists from AI impersonation and deception. AI-generated band The Velvet Sundown was in the spotlight this summer after racking up 1 million monthly listeners. The band, which later clarified its bio page to say it is a "synthetic music project," is currently a verified artist on Spotify that has more than 264,000 monthly listeners. Spotify outlined four principles the collaboration will focus on: partnerships with record labels, distributors and music publishers, choice in participation, fair compensation and new revenue, and artist-fan connection. "Musicians' rights matter," Spotify said in the release. "Copyright is essential. If the music industry doesn't lead in this moment, AI-powered innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent, or compensation. " The streaming giant has also received backlash after CEO Daniel Ek, who will step down from the role next year, led a 600-million-euro funding round for defense technology startup Helsing in June. Musicians including King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and most recently, Massive Attack, have removed their catalogue from Spotify in protest. "'Daniel Ek uses $700 million of his Spotify fortune to become chairman of AI battle tech company' was not a headline we enjoyed reading this week," Deerhoof wrote in a statement on Instagram. "We don't want our music killing people. We don't want our success being tied to AI battle tech."

Spotify partners with the big three music labels on 'artist-first AI music products'

Spotify sees the music industry's AI problem, and it's going to do... something about it. On Thursday, the company published a blog post heavy on principles, partnerships and vague plans. Unfortunately, it's practically devoid of specifics. The most explicit bit is that it's partnering with the big three music labels. Together, they'll "develop responsible AI products that empower the artists and songwriters they represent, and connect them with the fans who support them." The move follows Spotify's announcement last month that it would clean up the AI slop proliferating on its platform. The company frames today's news as a direct defense against competition from unauthorized AI music production. "If the music industry doesn't lead in this moment, AI-powered innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent or compensation," the company wrote. Spotify says artists don't find that current AI tools are "built to power their careers, their businesses, and their fan bases." That will inform whatever comes out of the partners' plans. "We'll develop new products for artists and fans through upfront agreements, not by asking for forgiveness later," the company wrote. Spotify laid out four principles that will guide its hazy plans for "artist-first AI music products." The first is through partnerships with labels, distributors, and publishers. (In addition to the big three of Sony, Universal and Warner, Spotify is partnering with digital rights company Merlin and the French music label Believe.) The other tenets include choice in participation, fair compensation and artist-fan connections. Although it's been forced to clean up the AI mess that grew on its platform, Spotify has adopted AI features of its own. Most notably, that includes its AI DJ. But it's also released a personalized daylist and AI Playlist features. The company differentiated its tools from unauthorized ones it's combating. It described its AI features as helping listeners to discover and connect with real artists. "Our goal is to ensure the future of music innovation happens responsibly, and to invite the best minds in AI to help build it," Spotify wrote.

Spotify working on AI music tools with major record labels

Spotify, the world's biggest music streaming service, has announced it is working with major labels on using artificial intelligence (AI) in a "responsible" way. The firm said it wanted to make AI tools which "put artists and songwriters first" and respect their copyright. The streaming giant will license music from the three record labels which make up the vast majority of the industry: Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. It is unclear exactly what these AI tools will look like, but Spotify says it has already started working on its first products.

Spotify's new AI plan aims to tackle the music industry's slop problem -- here's how

Spotify is taking a major step into AI, teaming up with the biggest names in music to shape how technology and creativity work together. The streaming giant announced an "artist-first" collaboration with Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin and Believe to develop AI tools that protect artists' rights and help them connect with fans in new ways. Announcing in a blog post on Thursday, the music streamer stated that its goal is to ensure that innovation "happens responsibly, transparently, and in partnership with the people who make music possible." Spotify described the effort as a "artist-first" initiative aimed at ensuring that musicians and songwriters benefit from AI, rather than being left behind by it. The partnership is guided by four principles: partnerships with record labels, distributors, and music publishers, choice in participation, fair compensation and new revenue and artist-fan connection. "Technology should always serve artists, not the other way around," said Alex Norström, Spotify's Co-President and Chief Business Officer. "Our focus at Spotify is making sure innovation supports artists by protecting their rights, respecting their creative choices, and creating new ways for fans to discover and enjoy the music they love." Spotify said artists will not be required to take part in any AI program. Consent and copyright remain central to its approach. "Some voices in the tech industry believe copyright should be abolished," Spotify said. "We don't. Musicians' rights matter. Copyright is essential. If the music industry doesn't lead in this moment, AI-powered innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent, or compensation." The statement highlights the growing debate over how AI models are built, with many accessing copyrighted material without authorization. Spotify believes that creators should be directly involved and compensated fairly. The announcement comes as music companies challenge unauthorized AI use. Universal, Warner and Sony have all filed lawsuits against AI startups Udio and Suno, alleging that they used copyrighted recordings to train their models. The companies claim these practices violate copyright law, while the startups argue their tools create original creations. Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge said his company will only license artists' voices or songs to AI platforms with their explicit consent. "We want a thriving commercial landscape where both the music industry and tech companies can flourish," he said. The controversy grew after the 2023 viral song 'Heart on My Sleeve' used AI-generated vocals to mimic Drake and The Weeknd. Universal, which represents both artists, called it "infringing content created with generative AI." Spotify's new framework aims to prevent similar incidents through clear guidelines and partnerships. Spotify is creating a "state-of-the-art generative AI research lab" to explore new tools that benefit artists. The company said these efforts will "properly compensate" musicians and songwriters and "transparently credit" their contributions. Independent artists will also play a role, as Spotify's partnerships with Merlin and Believe extend its "artist-first" framework to smaller labels. Merlin's stance is that Spotify's principles align with its mission to protect and respect independent creators, while Believe praised its commitment to "responsible and value-creative AI." Spotify currently incorporates AI into services such as its AI DJ and Daylist playlists, but this collaborationn demonstrates a broader commitment to ethical innovation. Industry leaders have praised Spotify's approach, which Rob Stringer, Chair of Sony Music Group, saying there must be "direct licensing in advance" of any AI products using artists' work. Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl called Spotify's framework "thoughtful" and said it sets the right guardrails for the technology. Spotify is establishing itself as a pioneer in responsible AI for music by collaborating closely with the largest labels in the world. The company's message is clear: artists will continue to be at the core of the creation, even while AI shapes its future. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! Tired of AI slop? Pinterest lets you take back control of your feed Google Vids Now Lets You Turn Any Image Into a Video -- Plus More (And It's Free)

Spotify partnering with multinational music companies to develop 'responsible' AI products

Market-leading music streamer collaborating with the Sony, Universal and Warner music groups to create new AI features Spotify has announced it is teaming up with the world's biggest music companies to develop "responsible" artificial intelligence products that respect artists' copyright. The market-leading music streamer is collaborating with the Sony, Universal and Warner music groups - whose combined rosters feature artists including Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift - to create new AI features. Spotify did not give details of what the new products would entail, but the company said artists would not be forced to participate and their copyright would not be violated. In a blogpost announcing the agreement, Spotify referred pointedly to a move-fast-and-break-things approach to copyright in some parts of the tech industry. The tension between the music industry and some tech firms has already led to three major labels suing AI companies whose tools create music from user prompts. "Some voices in the tech industry believe copyright should be abolished," said Spotify. "We don't. Musicians' rights matter. Copyright is essential. If the music industry doesn't lead in this moment, AI-powered innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent, or compensation." The issue of copyright - a legal right that prevents others from using your work without permission - has become a battleground between the creative industries and the tech sector, which has been using publicly available, copyright-protected data to build artificial intelligence tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude. The three music majors are suing two AI music startups, Udio and Suno, for alleged copyright infringement, amid similar lawsuits in other areas of the media and creative world. Both Udio and Suno have said their technology is designed to generate new musical output and does not reproduce specific artists' work. The head of Universal Music Group, Sir Lucian Grainge, wrote in a memo to staff this week that Universal will seek an artist's consent before licensing use of an artist's voice or existing songs to an AI company. One of the most notorious musical deepfakes was published in 2023. Heart on My Sleeve, a song featuring AI-made vocals purporting to be Drake and the Weeknd, was pulled from streaming services after Universal, which represented both artists, criticised the song for "infringing content created with generative AI". Spotify, which has 276 million paying subscribers, said it has begun building a state-of-the-art generative AI research lab to create "breakthrough experiences" for fans and artists. The Stockholm-based company said the products would create new revenue streams for artists and songwriters, ensuring they are "properly compensated for uses of their work and transparently credited for their contributions". Spotify is also partnering with Merlin, a digital rights company for independent record labels, and Believe , a French digital music label, as part of the AI collaboration. Spotify already uses AI to create playlists and a personalised DJ. The heads of the three majors welcomed the agreement, with the chair of Sony Music Group, Rob Stringer, saying that there must "direct licensing" of artists' work before a new product is launched. Universal's Grainge said he wanted a "thriving commercial landscape" in which the music industry and tech companies can flourish. The head of Warner Music Group, Robert Kyncl, expressed approval for Spotify's "thoughtful AI guardrails".

Spotify partners with record labels to build "responsible AI" music tools

The company says the initiative will ensure musicians can choose if and how AI interacts with their work. Spotify announced on Thursday a series of deals with record labels Sony, Universal, Warner, and Merlin to develop new artificial intelligence products. The collaboration aims to ensure fair compensation for artists and songwriters through responsible AI development. The partnerships are intended to result in "responsible AI" products that respect copyright and provide artists with the choice of whether to permit the use of AI tools on their work. While the company did not provide specific details on how these new tools would function, the stated goal is to center artists and songwriters in the user experience. The agreements with the major labels and the independent music representative Merlin mark a structured approach to integrating generative AI into the music streaming ecosystem. This initiative builds on Spotify's existing generative AI experiences. The platform currently features an AI DJ that curates and plays a personalized selection of songs with commentary. Another feature allows users to generate playlists by typing in descriptive AI prompts. These tools represent the company's initial steps into using AI for content discovery and user interaction, providing a foundation for the newly announced product development. The announcement follows recent criticism directed at Spotify after the music of an AI-generated band went viral on its service. This event prompted a wider debate within the industry regarding the potential for AI-created content to sideline human artistry. The new deals address these concerns by framing the upcoming tools as being designed to support, rather than replace, human creators. In the month prior to this announcement, Spotify updated its AI policy to reduce spam. The revised policy specifically targets users who upload AI content at a mass scale, create duplicate tracks, or attempt to manipulate the platform's search and recommendation systems. Concurrently, Spotify stated it would adopt the DDEX music-labeling system, a standard for digitally communicating information, to clearly indicate when AI was involved in a track's creation process. The forthcoming GenAI features will enable artists to opt into using the AI tools. The system is expected to allow artists to identify instances where their music has been used in AI-generated tracks and to receive a form of payment for that usage. Spotify also noted that this framework will eventually be expanded to include other rights holders and distributors. In its announcement, Spotify articulated its position on intellectual property. "Some voices in the tech industry believe copyright should be abolished. We don't. Musicians' rights matter. Copyright is essential," the company stated. "If the music industry doesn't lead in this moment, AI‑powered innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent, or compensation. Together with rights holders, artists, and songwriters, we are making significant investments in AI research and product development." To support these efforts, Spotify has begun establishing a generative AI research lab and a dedicated product team. This group is tasked with creating new technologies that align with the principle of allowing artists to choose if and how they participate in the AI music ecosystem. The company confirmed that work on the first of these products has already started, with additional tools planned for future release.

Spotify to Develop AI Music Products in Partnership With Major Record Labels

Ticketmaster Appoints New Global President to Help Lead "AI Transformation" Spotify has announced an extensive partnership with all three major music companies (Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group), digital licensing company Merlin and distribution services company Believe to develop AI music products. Spotify didn't specify what specific software or AI tools the company was developing, stating only in a blog post Thursday morning that the audio streaming giant was working with the partner companies to create "responsible AI products that empower the artists and songwriters they represent, and connect them with the fans who support them." In the blog post, Spotify said that it's already started to create an AI research lab and product team to develop its AI music products, adding that it's being done "in close consultation with artists, producers, and songwriters" and with consideration for artists' rights over their music. "Some voices in the tech industry believe copyright should be abolished. We don't," Spotify said. "Musicians' rights matter. Copyright is essential. If the music industry doesn't lead in this moment, AI-powered innovation will happen elsewhere, without rights, consent, or compensation. Together with rightsholders, artists, and songwriters, we are making significant investments in AI research and product development. Spotify's announcement will likely garner significant skepticism from some artists and music fans given how controversial a topic AI music is, and the world's largest streaming service has already courted controversy in recent months as groups like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Xiu Xiu pulled their catalogs off Spotify over founder Daniel Ek's investment in military tech company Helsing through his investment firm Prima Materia. Still, it's particularly noteworthy all three of the major music companies have signed on, suggesting support from the industry's most influential stakeholders. The labels have for the most part taken a cautiously experimental approach to AI music in the past several years, granting licenses to a few companies to create tools like AI voice clones or music generators, but suing several developers who didn't get licenses for their models. Spotify co-president and chief businesss officer Alex Norström said in a statement Thursday that "technology should always serve artists, not the other way around. Our focus at Spotify is making sure innovation supports artists by protecting their rights, respecting their creative choices, and creating new ways for fans to discover and enjoy the music they love." As Gustav Söderström, Spotify's co-president and chief product and technology officer, added: ""AI is the most consequential technology shift since the smartphone, and it's already reshaping how music is created and experienced. At Spotify, we want to build this future hand in hand with the music industry, guided by clear principles and deep respect for creators, just as we did in the days of piracy." Spotify listed four tenets the company said it would follow to develop its AI software. First, it touted worked directly with record labels, distribution companies and music publishers, saying that "we'll develop new products for artists and fans through upfront agreements, not by asking for forgiveness later." The final bit of that sentence seems to be a reference toward other AI music companies like Suno and Udio, which are currently facing lawsuits from the record companies on claims of massive copyright infringement. The second principle listed was "choice in participation" in the AI development, saying that "artists and rightsholders will choose if and how to participate to ensure the use of AI tools aligns with the values of the people behind the music." Spotify's blog post didn't specify whether the development would be opt-in or opt out to determine training permissions. Spotify also said the company will ensure that the products the develop with create "wholly new revenue streams for rightsholders, artists, and songwriters, ensuring they are properly compensated for uses of their work and transparently credited for their contributions." Lastly, Spotify stated that any products the company creates "will not replace human artistry." Instead, Spotify said, "they will give artists new ways to be creative and connect with fans." The heads of all the participating companies gave extensive statements Thursday, all similarly describing an intent to develop ethically sourced AI tools that empower artists. UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge, who penned a letter to UMG's staff about the company's AI efforts earlier this week, said in a statement Thursday that "It is essential that we work with strategic partners such as Spotify to enable Gen AI products within a thriving commercial landscape in which artists, songwriters, fans, music companies and technology companies can all flourish." Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer said in a statement that the Spotify partnership is "an acknowledgement that direct licensing in advance of launching new products is the only appropriate way to build them and demonstrates how a properly functioning market benefits everyone in the ecosystem and fuels innovation." Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl said WMG has been "consistently focused on making sure AI works for artists and songwriters, not against them." "That means collaborating with partners who understand the necessity for new AI licensing deals that protect and compensate rightsholders and the creative community," Kyncl said. Merlin COO Charlie Lexton said his company was partneringw with Spotify to "genuinely enhance the creative and commercial ecosystem for the benefit of our independent members, their artists and their fans." Believe founder and CEO Denis Ladegaillerie said, "we are now thrilled to partner with Spotify to co-develop 'value-creative AI' tools that will fuel artist development and unlock new creative and commercial opportunities."

Spotify Partners with Major Labels to Build AI Tools for Artists

Spotify Expands Its Approach to artificial intelligence in Music. After tightening its rules in September to curb impersonation, spam, and undisclosed AI-generated tracks, Spotify has now partnered with Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin, and Believe to build "artist-first" AI products. The move marks a shift from enforcement to collaboration, with Spotify focusing on consent, credit, and compensation for artists. On October 16, 2025, Spotify announced that it would work with five major rightsholders to create AI products that strengthen artists' control over their work. The partnership is built on four key principles: Spotify has also set up a generative AI research lab to develop products aligned with these principles. The lab will combine Spotify's research with input from artists, producers, and songwriters. Co-presidents Alex Norström and Gustav Söderström said Spotify's goal is to ensure that technology supports artists rather than competes with them. Executives from partner labels have welcomed the collaboration. Sony Music's Rob Stringer said direct licensing before product launches is the right approach to AI development. Universal Music's Lucian Grainge added that the initiative builds on ongoing efforts to keep artists at the center of AI conversations. Similarly, Warner Music's Robert Kyncl said Spotify's framework helps protect creators and their rights. Merlin's Charlie Lexton and Believe's Denis Ladegaillerie said the partnership aligns with the need for consent, transparency, and compensation in AI use. Last month, Spotify introduced its most detailed AI policy update yet, focusing on impersonation, spam, and transparency in AI-assisted music creation. Sam Duboff, Global Head of Marketing and Policy, said AI use exists along a spectrum rather than a binary. "This industry standard will allow for more accurate, nuanced disclosures," he explained. Charlie Hellman, Vice President and Global Head of Music, added that Spotify supports responsible AI use but will continue removing content that exploits loopholes. "We're not here to punish artists for using AI authentically and responsibly," he said. "But we are here to stop bad actors who are gaming the system." Spotify said it will keep improving its impersonation and spam detection systems while sharing standards with labels and distributors to strengthen artist control and transparency. India is beginning to examine similar questions around authorship and ownership in AI-generated content. On April 28, 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) formed a committee to study how the Copyright Act of 1957 applies to AI-generated works. The committee, chaired by Himani Pande and convened by Simrat Kaur, includes members from MeitY, NASSCOM, and intellectual property experts Ameet Datta, Adarsh Ramanujan, and Prof. Raman Mittal. Its mandate is to identify gaps in the current law, determine whether the Act can handle AI-generated content, and publish a working paper with recommendations. However, there is no set timeline for completion. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court is hearing two cases that raise similar questions about AI and copyright. In one case, ANI accused OpenAI of training ChatGPT on its copyrighted news content without consent. In another, the Federation of Indian Publishers alleged that OpenAI used copyrighted books to create summaries and analyses without permission. Both cases test how Indian courts interpret consent, ownership, and compensation in AI-generated content. The committee's formation marks India's first formal step toward aligning copyright law with the rise of generative AI. Its findings could influence how India's creative industries approach AI innovation and rights management. Spotify's two-step strategy highlights a growing realisation in the creative economy: innovation without consent undermines long-term value. By first removing impersonation and spam and then creating licensed AI products with rightsholders, the company is attempting to balance commercial growth with ethical responsibility. This shift matters because AI-generated music now challenges both ownership and income distribution models. Platforms that fail to define authorship risk collapsing the very markets that sustain artists. Spotify's structured collaboration aims to prevent that outcome by keeping artists involved in every stage of AI development. In India, the same tension is emerging as policymakers study whether the Copyright Act of 1957 can handle AI-generated works. Notably, both the committee's review and the OpenAI cases focus on the same principles underpinning Spotify's reforms: consent, control, and fair compensation. How governments and platforms resolve these questions will determine whether AI becomes a tool that amplifies creativity or a force that erodes it.