Sean Parker Rebuilds Stability AI Around Music

Sean Parker is steering Stability AI toward tools for music professionals, marking a return to the industry where he first became known as a Napster co-founder. He told The Information that this time he is following the rules.

Parker joined an $80 million rescue of Stability AI two years ago. The image-generation startup had nearly collapsed after overspending and internal turmoil, which led to founder Emad Mostaque’s departure. Parker and Prem Akkaraju, his longtime friend who became the company’s CEO, are now outlining their plans.

Parker says the goal is to make Stability AI a leading AI toolmaker for music professionals. In late August, the company announced $76 million in funding from investors including Sony, Warner, and Universal. The three labels also licensed their music catalogs for training as part of the deal.

Stability AI has since released three audio models and AI music-editing software. The tools can generate full instrumental tracks or short clips from text prompts. Parker says an upcoming update will let users guide generation by humming a melody or beatboxing a drum pattern.