Universal Music Group teams up with ElevenLabs on new AI music platform

Universal Music Group (UMG) and AI company ElevenLabs have announced a new multi-year licensing agreement alongside a wider strategic collaboration. Together, the companies plan to launch a new AI-powered platform built around licensed music from participating UMG artists.

The agreement marks the first deal ElevenLabs has struck with a major record label. The new platform will be kept separate from ElevenLabs' existing ElevenMusic AI music generation tool. The two companies also intend to jointly develop additional AI audio products for use by artists.

Who the platform is for

The software, which does not yet have a public name, remains in development, and no launch date has been announced. It is primarily intended for music fans who want to create remixes and mashups using tracks from participating artists signed to UMG, who will be "fairly compensated" for their involvement. ElevenLabs' technology will also enable new interpretations of existing tracks and personalized vocal experiences.

A complicated relationship with AI

The music industry's relationship with artificial intelligence has been fraught in recent years. Just months ago, a coalition of major labels, including UMG, called for AI-generated "slop" tracks to be banned from music charts worldwide. At the same time, legal disputes between labels and AI companies such as Suno and Udio over alleged copyright infringement have drawn significant attention.

Many of these lawsuits, however, have ended in settlements and licensing agreements — including a case Warner filed against Udio in 2024. This week, Suno also said the release of its new v6 AI music models marks the official start of its relationships with labels like Warner and BMG.