Universal Music Group Redefining Musician Compensation in the AI Era

Universal Music Group (UMG) is leading the charge in embracing generative AI technology within the music industry. While some veterans may view it with apprehension, UMG sees it as a chance for innovation. Collaborating with over 150 organizations through the Human Artistry Campaign, UMG has advocated for ethical AI use and pushed for stronger regulations.

They've also leveraged AI-generated music to advocate for fairer royalties, influencing platforms like Deezer and Spotify to adopt artist-centric payment models.

CEO Lucian Grainge emphasizes UMG's commitment to not only ensuring fair compensation but also enhancing artist-fan relationships through unique experiences and products, signaling a transformative phase in the music industry.

“looking to promote a fairer way to allocate the streaming pie” was the first phase of UMG’s efforts. “You’re going to see us focusing next on growing the pie for all artists,” he says, “by creating stronger artist-fan relationships through superfan experiences and products.”