Universal Music Strikes 2 AI Music Deals With TikTok and Spotify as 75 Million Tracks Are Removed
Updated
Updated · The Atlantic · May 29
Universal Music Strikes 2 AI Music Deals With TikTok and Spotify as 75 Million Tracks Are Removed
8 articles · Updated · The Atlantic · May 29
Universal Music last week unveiled two AI-focused agreements: a TikTok licensing deal promising stronger protections against unauthorized AI music and a Spotify partnership for AI-assisted remixes of selected songs.
The moves come as AI generators can now produce near-copy songs in seconds and cheap DIY distributors can push them onto major platforms before copyright checks catch up.
Spotify said it removed more than 75 million spammy tracks in the past year, while also rolling out artist verification and policies that strip manipulated streams from play counts and royalties.
A recent wave of AI versions of Stick Figure’s 2019 song “Angels Above Me” drew millions of streams and chart success in Germany and Austria, often without clearly crediting the original writers.
The deals highlight the industry’s balancing act: embracing AI tools for licensed remixing while trying to stop unauthorized clones that divert royalties and blur what listeners are hearing.
Beyond fake songs, is the next legal battle over whether AI can be trained on copyrighted music at all?
As AI bots outsmart fraud detection, is the music industry’s per-stream payment model now obsolete?
UMG, Spotify, and TikTok Lead the Charge: 75 Million Tracks Removed Amid AI Music Boom
Overview
Between 2025 and 2026, Universal Music Group (UMG) strengthened its role in the digital music world by signing major multi-year licensing deals with Spotify and TikTok. These landmark agreements mark a turning point for the music industry, as established companies like UMG embrace generative AI while ensuring fair compensation and protection for human artists and rights holders. A key highlight is UMG’s partnership with Spotify on an innovative AI-enabled superfan initiative, which aims to connect artists and fans more closely. Together, these moves show how the industry is adapting to new technology while supporting creativity and artist rights.