Sony Music Joins AI Policy Coalition ARIAM

Sony Music Group has joined the Alliance for Responsible Innovation in the Arts & Media (ARIAM). It is the first music company to become a member of the AI policy coalition, which launched in June 2026.

According to Music Business Worldwide, the announcement was made on Wednesday, September 23, by ARIAM’s Executive Director and CEO, Victoria Furniss. Sony says the coalition is focused on advancing responsible AI across the creative and media sectors.

Kevin Kelleher, Chief Operating Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, commented on the move. Generative AI presents significant opportunities and challenges for artists and songwriters, which is why we are pleased to join ARIAM to help shape how it fits into the future of all corners of the creative industries, he said. Kelleher added that only when developed responsibly with human artistry at its heart can AI create a thriving environment for innovation, creators, and consumers.

Sony's Commitment and Legal Context

Sony Music Group stated it has an unwavering commitment to protecting music. The company said it shares ARIAM’s view that a healthy licensing environment, where responsible AI companies proactively partner with rightsholders, is the only foundation for getting AI right.

This membership comes amid ongoing legal actions by Sony against AI music companies. Sony Music Entertainment is the only major music company that has not struck a licensing deal with either Suno or Udio. The company sued Udio for a second time on July 20 in New York federal court, asserting 30,117 sound recordings were copied without permission for training AI models.

Five days before the ARIAM announcement, on September 18, Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group jointly sued Suno for a second time in Boston federal court. That lawsuit concerns 60,202 recordings.

Coalition Members and Leadership

Sony now joins a roster of existing ARIAM members from various industries. The coalition includes The Walt Disney Company, Fox Entertainment, ITV, the BBC, Adobe, Advance, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Condé Nast, the Financial Times, The New York Times, Reach plc, and Wiley.

Victoria Furniss welcomed Sony Music Group. "We’re very excited to welcome Sony Music Group as the first music company to join ARIAM," she said. Furniss noted that the issues surrounding AI affect all parts of the creative community and that music is an integral part of that conversation. She stated that Sony embodies the organization's principles and brings a valuable perspective to supporting innovation while protecting creativity.

ARIAM's Mission and Structure

ARIAM describes itself as a first-of-its-kind global coalition spanning content sectors. Its mission is to ensure AI is developed and deployed responsibly, sustainably, and for the betterment of all society. The group says it was set up to work on legal and policy frameworks that are "responsibility-by-design." It argues for protections covering consumers, particularly children, and creators, rather than focusing solely on copyright.

The coalition is headquartered in Los Angeles and is led by Furniss, a former Netflix and Warner Bros. Executive. At its launch in June 2026, Furniss said, ARIAM’s goal is not to slow AI down but to ensure it is able to sustain the broader ecosystems long term.

Future Plans

ARIAM says it is planning member events during 2026. These will include council meetings, leader roundtables, and an annual summit. Kevin Kelleher has been Chief Operating Officer of Sony Music Entertainment since April 2017, having joined the company in 1992.