Universal Music Group and Splice collaborate on AI-powered music creation tools for artists
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and Splice, the world’s most popular music creation platform, have announced a collaboration to explore the next generation of AI-powered music creation tools for artists.
The partnership between UMG and Splice will focus on developing commercial AI tools that prioritize creative control and sonic excellence. This artist-centric agreement builds on Splice’s current suite of AI-enabled creator tools, which respect intellectual property and combine high-quality creative ingredients.
By bringing together the leading home for artists and the ubiquitous music creation platform, UMG and Splice aim to create advanced commercial AI tools that can deliver high fidelity and precise expression of artistic intent.
Both companies are committed to promoting creative expression and artistic empowerment, and this partnership will also explore AI-powered virtual instruments and tools that enable UMG artists to bring their own sounds into Splice’s AI workflows. UMG artists will play a crucial role in guiding the product development process.
Michael Nash, EVP & Chief Digital Officer of Universal Music Group, expressed excitement about the alliance, stating, “We’re excited to form this alliance with Splice to promote the alignment of innovation and ethicality in addressing the interests of the creative community to leverage cutting-edge AI-enabled tools to further their artistic expression. We look forward to partnering with Kakul Srivastava and her team on this critically important strategic technology front.”
Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “We’ve spent time building AI tools designed to fairly compensate creators and keep them in control. We’re thankful for Universal’s continued support, and excited to work together to put these commercial tools in the hands of artists everywhere, knowing they can trust the end result.”
In June of 2024, Splice joined UMG and other industry figures as a signatory to the “Principles for Music Creation with AI,” a series of clarifying statements relating to the responsible use of AI in music creation, advocating for ethical, transparent AI that empowers human creators rather than replacing them.
Over the past twelve months, Splice has built deeply embedded workflows across the world’s leading digital audio workstations, including Ableton and Pro Tools, and launched a growing suite of AI-native tools grounded in artist-centered monetization, governance, and creative control. With the acquisition of Spitfire Audio, Splice expanded its reach to professional composers cementing its position as one of the most trusted platforms for music creation.
For more information, contact:
For UMG, James Murtagh-Hopkins at James.Murtagh-Hopkins@umusic.com
For Splice, Frances McCahon at frances.mccahon@splice.com or John Vlautin at jv@spinlab.net
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group exists to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com.
About Splice
Splice is the leading music creation platform, empowering musicians, producers, and sound designers with the tools to bring their ideas to life. The company’s sound-first approach features a vast library of high-quality sonic ingredients, powered by sophisticated AI tools, to assist in deep sound discovery and idea generation. Splice INSTRUMENT and Splice Sounds are heard around the world – playing a vital role in music’s soundscape. Trusted by millions, Splice also provides affordable access to plugins and DAWs through a rent-to-own gear marketplace. For more information, visit splice.com.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.