ToolsSeptember 10, 2026via The Verge AI
Universal Music is launching an AI music platform with ElevenLabs
Why it matters
A major record label is monetizing AI music generation at scale by licensing its catalog to ElevenLabs. This signals how generative AI tools move from startups to enterprise platforms, and shapes the economics of AI-generated music for both creators and rights holders.
Key signals
- Universal Music Group launching AI music platform with ElevenLabs
- Multiyear licensing agreement (duration not specified)
- Platform enables remixes, mashups, and new takes on licensed tracks
- Artists can opt-in to participation
- UMG also developing separate AI music platform with Udio
- UMG has prior AI licensing deals with Spotify, Nvidia, and others
- Published Sep 10, 2026
- Universal Music Group + ElevenLabs multiyear licensing deal
- Platform enables remixes, mashups, and new takes on licensed catalog
- Artists can opt in or out of participation
- UMG also developing separate platform with Udio
- Prior licensing deals: Spotify, Nvidia, KLA
- Announced September 2026
The hook
Universal Music just handed ElevenLabs a multiyear licensing deal. Here's what that means for AI music generation — and creator royalties.
Universal Music Group is launching a new AI-powered platform that will allow users to draw from its catalog of licensed music to create song remixes, mashups, and new takes on tracks, according to an announcement on Thursday. The record label is developing the platform through a multiyear licensing …