Salt, the company that provides digital-era rights and royalties solutions for music creators and societies around the world, is proud to announce the receipt of a multi-million-pound grant from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The funding accelerates Salt's investment in AI innovation, further advancing tools designed to empower and safeguard music creators and rightsholders. Salt is releasing powerful new AI-enhanced capabilities that can be used across its entire product line, fortifying support for creators at every stage of their journey — from inception, through distribution to fair compensation. The grant will help unlock groundbreaking operational efficiencies within the industry, solidifying Salt's position as a leader in AI-driven rightsholder-centric solutions for the music sector.

Salt proudly partners with Queen Mary University for this groundbreaking project, leveraging their renowned expertise in AI and digital music. Queen Mary's Centre for Digital Music epitomises multidisciplinary excellence, making them an ideal collaborator for pioneering innovations. This strategic alliance combines Salt's industry leadership with Queen Mary's academic rigor, propelling towards unparalleled advancements in music rights and royalties. Together this collaboration will set a new benchmark in music industry tool innovation.

Salt CEO Doug Imrie says "Salt is excited to be at the forefront of AI innovation and the evolution of next-generation tools for the music industry’s creators and rightsholders. We are delighted to have the experts at Queen Mary University join our mission to ensure that creators' contributions, rights, accreditation and remuneration are protected across the music industry and benefit from the latest technological advances."

Simon Dixon, Director of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence and Music at Queen Mary University of London, comments: “Our Centre for Digital Music has grown into a world-leading, multidisciplinary research group, responsible for numerous spinout companies and business partnerships with companies large and small. Industry partnerships like these allow us to achieve more real-world impact from our research, and give companies access to researchers working at the very edge of what’s possible.”

Dave Stewart, the acclaimed artist, Eurythmics co-founder and Salt investor commented "With Salt's pioneering AI work and the added horsepower from this funding, our partnership with Queen Mary University becomes a game changer so badly needed in the labyrinthine system that exists today. We're poised to continue redefining the music industry landscape, empowering creators and protecting their rights with unmatched innovation."