In an unexpected move for the music industry, Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced a partnership with Udio, an AI-powered music creation platform. This collaboration comes on the heels of the companies resolving copyright infringement litigation, paving the way for the development of a new commercial music creation and streaming experience.
Set to launch in 2026, the yet-to-be-named platform will leverage generative AI technology, which will be trained on licensed music, ensuring a protected environment for customisation, streaming, and sharing.
Andrew Sanchez, Co-Founder and CEO of Udio, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasising a shared vision to empower artists and enhance fan engagement. “This moment brings to life everything we’ve been building toward, uniting AI and the music industry in a way that truly champions artists,” he stated in conversation with Billboard.
Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, also commented on the initiative via a statement, noting that the alliance with Udio highlights a dedication to supporting creators. He emphasised that this involves adopting innovative tech and pioneering commercial frameworks to expand opportunities for their roster.
