Universal Music Group and Splice are partnering to build “commercial AI tools” for music creation

Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with music production platform Splice to jointly explore the “next generation of AI-powered music creation tools for musical artists”.

Under the new partnership, UMG and Splice will develop “commercial AI tools” and “AI-powered virtual instruments” that are rooted in creative control, sonic excellence and respect for intellectual property. The agreement also builds on Splice’s expanding suite of AI-enabled tools – including Create – which already sit inside many producers’ day-to-day workflows.

According to the companies, this partnership is “guided by a shared commitment to creative expression and artistic empowerment”. As part of that vision, UMG and Splice will explore tools that allow artists on UMG’s roster to bring their own sounds directly into Splice’s AI workflows, with those artists “expected to play a crucial role” in shaping how the products are developed.

Michael Nash, EVP and Chief Digital Officer at Universal Music Group says, “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.”

Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava adds, “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.”

The partnership builds on groundwork Splice has already laid. Over the past year, the company has rolled out deeper DAW integrations with platforms like Ableton Live and Pro Tools, expanded its AI-native tools, and – with the acquisition of Spitfire Audio – strengthened its presence among professional composers, further cementing its position as a trusted music creation platform.

It also follows Splice’s earlier collaboration with UMG and other industry players on 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.