Spotify CEO defends AI music feature, says it's better than piracy

Spotify CEO Alex Norström defended the company's move into AI-generated music, saying it gives users and creators a better option than piracy and unregulated 'AI slop.'

Spotify recently signed a deal with Universal Music Group to let subscribers use AI to create cover songs and remixes. The feature will cost extra and could 'turn one song into 10,000.'

Norström said Spotify wants to offer a 'controlled' alternative where artists can approve how their work is used and get paid, instead of having it stolen. AI is a big concern for the music industry. In March, after thousands of artists protested, the UK government dropped a plan to let AI companies use copyrighted work without permission.