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John Legend joins Universal Music, Udio, Stability AI, Splice and NVIDIA to discuss AI and music at the UN’s AI for Good Summit
John Legend appeared at the United Nations’ AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva alongside executives from Universal Music Group, Udio, Stability AI, Splice and NVIDIA to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the music industry. The discussion mattered because it brought together a major artist, a leading music company and several AI firms at a time when the industry is trying to balance new creative opportunities with concerns about copyright, artist control and fair pay. Legend and UMG both argued that AI should support human creativity rather than replace it, and that stronger protections are needed to ensure music remains a sustainable profession.
The panel, titled *The Sound of Intelligence*, took place on 9 July at the seventh summit organised by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union. It highlighted UMG’s recent AI deals with four companies represented on stage: Udio after settling a 2024 copyright lawsuit in October 2025, Stability AI in October 2025, Splice in December 2025 and NVIDIA in January 2026. Legend said AI had already “penetrated” the business and could offer useful shortcuts and enhancements, while stressing the need for policy, systems and safeguards for working musicians; meanwhile, UMG noted it is still in legal action with Sony Music against rival AI music company Suno.
In short
- UN summit panel explored AI’s growing role in music
- John Legend backed AI use with stronger artist protections
- UMG highlighted recent AI partnerships amid ongoing legal disputes
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of AI in music argue that the technology can democratise creation and enhance human creativity when properly structured through licensing agreements and fair compensation. They point to historical precedents—synthesisers, digital recording—where new technologies initially faced resistance but ultimately expanded creative possibilities. With appropriate protections and agreements in place, AI can accelerate artistic workflows, offer useful tools to independent musicians, and drive innovation whilst maintaining human artistry at the centre of the creative process.
The case against
Critics contend that AI music systems fundamentally threaten artists' livelihoods, autonomy and intellectual property rights by enabling reproduction of distinctive voices without meaningful consent or fair compensation to those whose work trained the systems. Even licensing deals with major labels, they argue, do not adequately address the core concern: that individual artists lack bargaining power against well-resourced tech companies and cannot meaningfully control how their work is used. This position emphasises the power imbalance that allows companies to profit substantially whilst creators—especially independent musicians—receive inadequate benefit and lose meaningful agency over their artistic identity.
Explained simply
The music industry is adapting to artificial intelligence, which can now help create and produce songs. AI offers new creative possibilities and production shortcuts, but concerns have grown about whether it might replace human musicians, how copyright is protected, and whether artists are paid fairly. The industry is seeking to use AI's benefits whilst protecting musicians' careers and rights.
Universal Music Group, one of the world's largest music companies, has made agreements with several AI music firms as this technology has developed, sometimes following copyright disputes. John Legend, a major recording artist, has been engaged in conversations about the industry's future alongside these technology companies. These discussions represent efforts to find approaches that work for artists, major music firms and AI technology companies alike.
These conversations matter because decisions being made now about copyright law, artist compensation and how AI companies operate could shape the music business for years to come. Industry voices have argued that AI should support human creativity rather than replace musicians, and that new protections and safeguards are needed to ensure artists can still earn a sustainable living from their work.
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