Universal Music Group has entered a strategic partnership with AI music company KLAY.
To date, KLAY has not yet released any of its products, but the AI start-up is said to be developing what it calls a “Large Music Model,” dubbed “KLayMM” which will “help humans create new music with the help of AI,” says a spokesperson for the company. According to a press release about the deal, KLAY notes it is dedicated to working with the music industry to produce ethical AI music models which will be “fully respectful of copyright as well as name and likeness rights.” When asked if this partnership included the licensing of UMG’s publishing or recorded music catalog, KLAY declined to comment.
KLAY is led by music producer Ary Attie and former president of Sony Music Entertainment Thomas Hesse. The team will soon be joined by Björn Winckler of Google Deepmind as well.
This is the latest in a string of partnerships that UMG has forged with “responsible” AI companies in the last year. In the past, the world’s largest music company has started working with Soundlabs, Bandlab and Endel. Last week, UMG’s deal with Soundlabs produced an AI-powered Spanish translation of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, just in time for the holiday season.
Michael Nash, executive vp, and chief digital officer of Universal Music said, “We are excited to partner with entrepreneurs like the team leading KLAY to explore new opportunities and ethical solutions for artists and the wider music ecosystem, advancing generative AI technology in ways that are both respectful of copyright and have the potential to profoundly impact human creativity. UMG has always endeavored to lead the music industry in driving innovation, embracing new technologies, and supporting entrepreneurship while protecting human artistry.”
Attie, founder and CEO of KLAY added, “Research is critical to building the foundations for AI music, but the tech is only an empty vessel when it doesn’t engage with the culture it is meant to serve. KLAY’s obsession is not just to showcase its research innovation but to make it invisible and mission-critical to people’s daily lives. Only then can music AI become more than a short-lived gimmick. Our great artists have always embraced the newest technologies – we believe the next Beatles will play with KLAY.”