Universal Music Group (UMG) is partnering with LA-based AI company KLAY Vision to develop AI tools that respect artist rights. This is despite the music giant battling other AI companies in court over the unauthorized use of its music.
The partnership aims to build what the companies call an “ethical foundational model” for AI-generated music. We’ll soon be able to see this technology in action through KLAY’s upcoming Large Music Model (KLayMM), but specific details about the product remain secret.
“We respect copyright while exploring new opportunities that have the potential to transform human creativity,” said Michael Nash, executive vice president and chief digital officer at UMG.
Google DeepMind and YouTube launch new AI music creation tool
Lyria represents a major advancement in AI music production. Unlike other AI music generation models that struggle to maintain musical continuity, Lyria excels at generating high-quality music with instrumentals and vocals, allowing users to control style and performance. with sophisticated control.
UMG and Klay Vision describe their collaboration as a pioneering step toward “an ethical foundational model for AI-generated music.” At the heart of this partnership is the belief that AI must work with creators, not replace them. The companies will develop generative AI music models in a manner that fully respects copyright, name and publicity rights, with the aim of mitigating threats to human creators and opening new avenues of creativity and revenue for the music industry. He emphasized that it was necessary.
KLAY brings serious music industry expertise. The company is led by former Sony Music executive Thomas Hesse, and will soon be joined by Björn Winkler, who previously developed Google’s Lyria AI music model at DeepMind.
UMG’s collaboration with Klay Vision comes amid an ongoing legal battle that highlights the tension between traditional music rights and new AI technologies. UMG is suing Anthropic AI and music-generating AI platforms Suno and Udio, accusing them of using UMG’s recordings to train its AI systems without proper authorization.
The companies plan to launch their first products in the coming months, promising to “revolutionize the way people think about music” through what they describe as a new and intuitive music experience.
Chris McKay is the founder and editor-in-chief of Maginative. His thought leadership in AI literacy and strategic AI adoption has been recognized by leading academic institutions, media, and global brands.
