From pirate to partner? Suno rewrites its AI music strategy

The AI music company Suno is attempting to transform its contentious relationship with the music industry by shifting away from a model trained on unlicensed copyrighted music toward partnerships with record labels and artists, The New York Times reports.

After being sued in 2024 by Sony, Universal and Warner for allegedly training its technology on copyrighted music without permission, Suno reached a deal with Warner Music Group that led to a new model trained primarily on licensed Warner recordings. Suno has also signed licensing agreements with BMG and Believe, a distributor for independent artists, and introduced safeguards such as digital watermarks and download limits. 

The moves reflect a broader shift in the music industry, where major labels have become more willing to embrace AI technology while seeking compensation and greater control over their intellectual property. 

Still, Suno faces significant legal and industry skepticism. Four musicians, including Jason Isbell, recently sued the company over alleged imitation of their voices and styles, while artists remain sharply divided over AI’s potential. 

Some prominent musicians and producers are experimenting with the technology, while others argue it could threaten working musicians’ livelihoods and contribute to an oversupply of low-quality AI-generated music. Suno maintains that its technology expands access to creativity and says more than 100 million people have used the service. The company has also defended its earlier use of copyrighted material as fair use.

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