Endel, an AI sound wellness company, and Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, announced a first-of-its-kind strategic partnership to enable artists and labels to create soundscapes for daily activities such as sleep, relaxation, and focus using AI.
The companies will use Endel’s proprietary AI technology to enable UMG artists to create science-backed soundscapes designed to enhance listeners’ wellness, including both new music and new versions of catalogue music, under this ground-breaking agreement.
The collaboration will always respect the rights of creators and place artists at the centre of the creative process.
UMG will announce the first wave of soundscapes under the new agreement in the coming months. Endel previously collaborated with Republic Records artist James Blake, whose acclaimed ambient soundscape ‘Wind Down’ was released as an album in May 2022.
In making the announcement, Michael Nash, Universal Music Group’s EVP, Chief Digital Officer said, “At UMG, we believe in the incredible potential of ethical AI as a tool to support and enhance the creativity of our artists, labels and songwriters, something that Endel has harnessed with impressive ingenuity and scientific innovation. We are excited to work together and utilize their patented AI technology to create new music soundscapes – anchored in our artist-centric philosophy – that are designed to enhance audience wellness, powered by AI that respects artists’ rights in its development.”
“Endel has been artist- and human-focused from day one. Our goal was always to help people focus, relax, and sleep with the power of sound. AI is the perfect tool for this. Today, seeing our technology being applied to turn your favorite music into functional soundscapes is a dream come true. We’re extremely excited to put Endel AI to work and help UMG build new and exciting offerings to promote wellness and banish the perceived threat around AI,” said Oleg Stavitsky, Endel’s CEO.