Universal's first licensing deal for AI music

A deal struck between Universal Music Group and AI music creation startup Udio marks a new chapter for a recording industry buffeted by the emergence of artificial intelligence.

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"The new platform, which will be launched in 2026, will be powered by new cutting-edge generative AI technology that will be trained on authorized and licensed music," the two companies said in a statement.

As yet unnamed, the project will be a “new subscription service” that will allow users to “customize, stream and share music responsibly, on the Udio platform,” they added.

The statement did not go into detail about how the new platform will function.

But obvious questions the partners must resolve include whether artists will have to opt in to their music being licensed, how creators will be compensated or how music generated on the platform will be distributed.

The deal is the first of its kind in the music industry, with heavyweight UMG -- the industry leader with a roster of beloved stars like Taylor Swift, The Weeknd or Lady Gaga -- granting valuable legal access to its catalogue.