Kobalt has signed a licensing agreement with Spotify for an upcoming AI tool that will let fans create covers and remixes using participating songwriters’ work. The deal matters because it provides a framework for consent, credit and payment as streaming platforms introduce generative AI features, while directing listeners back to original songs.

The tool will be offered as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium subscribers, with participating Kobalt songwriters receiving a share of revenue from resulting creations. Spotify previously reached similar agreements with Universal Music Group and Merlin, and has said its AI tools will be opt-in and create new income streams; separately, music industry groups have proposed voluntary labels distinguishing fully AI-generated tracks from AI-assisted ones.