The Singularity

I "spoke" to some experts creativity about the ethics of using AI to complement human art.

For some reason I've been engaging with AI content a lot this week. I don't mean justcontent generated by AI — though I no doubt have — I mean content about AI-generated content. I started reading the book "The Coming Wave: Technology, Power and the Twenty-first century's Greatest Dilemma” by Mustafa Suleyman, which is about the capabilities and potential harm of AI technology. I talked about how the new Spotify "daylists" robots still have some work to do when matching a snappy name with the genres included in the playlists. I saw Matt from the band Hurry have a “conversation” with Bono.

I saw a tweet from artist Mikaela Jane – actually a retweet of Stereogum announcing a new Mannequin Pussy song with a self-professed AI-generated music video.

I hit play on the video and went to another Chrome tab to get back to work, enjoying the song, before I remembered I was supposed to be watching the video. So, I watched for a while and it was pretty much what you'd expect from an AI video right now: movement quirks and ghoulish facial uncannies that, if created by a human hand, would be celebrated for eliciting such unease through moving picture alone.

But it wasn't created by a human hand. So much content isn't right now. That's why all of the writers and actors went on strike: Amongst other things wrong with the current landscape, it is entirely too easy to just AI yourself some people in the background of a crowded city scene, rather than actually hire people to expertly occupy the space. It takes absolutely no skill to type in a plot to a show and have Chat GPT write it for you, or even ask Chat GPT to come up with plots from viewer preference statistics.

In journalism, the field that I chose to professionally pursue despite even professors in that program warning me about the precariousness, formerly great sites like Sports Illustrated got busted with their pants down using AI for content and then lying about it.

I thought more deeply about this specific instance with the Mannequin Pussy video. They didn't strike me as the type of band to go to AI, but here we are. I'm sure it was an aesthetic choice rather than just one made out of laziness, since they've never really phoned it in in the past. But still, here was also a real human artist completely understandably calling out how this video took away potential work for other human artists who could've probably created something like what the band wanted (albeit in more time).

Even the most critically untouchable bands around right now, like The Armed, used AI to make the album cover for their (awesome) "Perfect Saviors" album. Again, this was likely a conscious choice rather than just saving a buck, but please refer to my last paragraph about MP.

As I thought more deeply about this phenomenon of musical artists outsourcing the complementary art to the robots, I wanted to hear what some people in the art, music, film, show business, and generally creative space had to say about the whole thing. So, I asked them.

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The question: What do you think about bands using artificial intelligence to create album art or music videos as opposed to hiring human beings to create them?

Werner Herzog:

The utilization of AI to craft album art or music videos is a folly of the modern age, a misguided attempt to impose order upon the chaotic majesty of the human experience. It is as if we are attempting to tame the untamed, to wrestle with the ineffable forces of creativity using mere algorithms and computational power.

In this digital landscape, where lines blur between the artificial and the authentic, we find ourselves adrift in a sea of simulated emotions and manufactured aesthetics. It is a realm devoid of the raw, unfiltered essence that defines true artistry.

And yet, amidst this technological quagmire, there exists a glimmer of hope—a spark of genuine human creativity that refuses to be extinguished. It is the flickering flame of the human spirit, striving to break free from the shackles of technological determinism and reclaim its rightful place at the forefront of artistic expression.

So let us not succumb to the siren song of artificiality, my friends. Let us instead embrace the chaos, the unpredictability, and the sublime beauty of the human condition. For it is only through embracing our humanity that we can truly unlock the boundless potential of artistic creation

Liam Gallagher:

Using AI for album art or music videos? Are you 'avin' a laugh, mate? That's like trying to make a cuppa with a broken kettle. Proper music comes from the heart and the soul, not from some bleedin' computer program.

I mean, what's next? Robots on stage instead of real musicians? Nah, not for me, mate. I'll stick to me guitars and me drums, thank you very much. No fancy gadgets or gizmos needed when you've got rock 'n' roll coursing through your veins.

So, to all them bands thinking about using AI, I've got one word for ya: don't. Keep it real, keep it raw, and let the music do the talking. That's what rock 'n' roll's all about, innit?

Andy Warhol:

Oh, darling, the notion of bands employing AI to craft their album art or music videos is simply divine, don't you think? It's like merging the avant-garde with the technological zeitgeist, creating a veritable symphony of innovation.

You see, in the realm of art, there are no boundaries, only endless possibilities waiting to be explored. AI offers a tantalizing glimpse into a future where creativity knows no bounds, where the very essence of artistry transcends the limitations of the human hand.

Some may balk at the idea, clinging to notions of traditional craftsmanship, but I say let's embrace this brave new world with open arms. Let the machines add their own unique flair to the canvas, let them dance with pixels and melodies in ways we never thought possible.

For in the end, my dear, art is about pushing the envelope, about challenging the status quo, and AI offers us a tantalizing glimpse into a future where creativity knows no bounds. So let us raise our glasses to this brave new world, to the marriage of art and technology, and to the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Cheers, darling!

Henry Rollins:

Alright, listen up. This whole debate about bands using AI to whip up their album art or music videos, it's like, seriously, who gives a damn? I mean, come on, we're talking about art here, people. And art is all about pushing boundaries, breaking rules, doing whatever the hell you want to do to get your message across.

So, if some band wants to get all futuristic and use AI to cook up their visuals, then more power to 'em, I say. It's not like there's some sacred rulebook that says you gotta stick to old-school methods. In fact, I'd argue that embracing new technology is as punk rock as it gets.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love me some human creativity as much as the next guy. But if AI can help artists push the envelope even further, then I'm all for it. At the end of the day, it's all about the music, man. And if the music's good, who cares how the album cover was made?

Austin Powers:

Well, groovy baby, let me tell ya, this whole AI thing, it's like, shake, not stirred, you know what I mean? Now, some folks might get their mojo all twisted up over this, saying, "Hey, that's not authentic, baby!" But let me tell ya, art's like a shagadelic journey, and there's room for all sorts of mojo in the mix.

Sure, having humans craft album art or music videos is like classic British charm, but AI brings a whole new flavor to the party. It's like adding a splash of futuristic funk to your martini. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but hey, neither was the swinging sixties until we made it cool, baby!

At the end of the day, it's all about the vibe, baby. If the AI creation gets people grooving and feeling the mojo, then why not let it join the party? As long as it's all about the love and the music, baby, that's what really matters.

Cormac McCarthy:

In the depths of this technological age, the controversy surrounding the integration of AI into the creation of album art or music videos is a mere ripple upon the vast, unyielding surface of existence.

Within this tumultuous sea of human endeavor, we are but transient souls, adrift amidst the relentless currents of progress and innovation. The machinations of artificial intelligence, with their cold logic and sterile precision, stand as stark reminders of our own fleeting mortality.

Yet, in this digital wilderness, there exists a certain beauty—a beauty born not of human hands, but of binary code and electronic impulses. It is a beauty as alien and inscrutable as the void of space itself, a testament to the boundless potential of the human mind.

And so, we find ourselves at a crossroads, torn between the comfort of tradition and the allure of the unknown. But in the end, does it truly matter whether the brush that paints the canvas is held by man or machine? Is not the essence of artistry found not in the tools we use, but in the depths of our own souls?

In the end, my friends, we are but travelers upon this cosmic journey, seeking solace and meaning amidst the chaos of existence. Whether we choose to embrace the cold embrace of technology or cling to the warmth of human touch, the path forward remains uncertain.

George Carlin:

Ah, AI creating album art or music videos, now there's a bit of modern absurdity for ya. I mean, we're talking about machines putting together visuals for human expression. It's like letting a toaster decide what kind of bread you like.

But hey, who am I to rain on the parade? If folks wanna let algorithms have a crack at artistry, who am I to stop 'em? After all, we live in a world where people will pay good money to watch someone eat a hot dog on YouTube.

So go ahead, let the machines have their fun. But just remember, when the robot uprising comes, don't say I didn't warn ya.

Fozzie Bear:

Wocka wocka! Hey there, folks! So, using AI for album art or music videos, huh? Well, I gotta say, that sounds like a real knee-slapper! I mean, who woulda thought we'd be living in a world where computers are making art, right?

But hey, if it means we get some extra pizzazz in our visuals, then why not give it a shot? After all, a little high-tech humor never hurt anyone, right? And who knows, maybe those wacky machines will come up with something truly bear-rilliant!

So, whether it's humans or robots behind the scenes, let's keep the laughter rolling and the music playing, because in the end, it's all about spreading joy and having a great time! Wocka wocka!

Rick Rubin:

Well, you know, the use of AI in creating album art or music videos, it's an interesting concept, man. It's like, technology meets art, right? And as a producer, I'm always looking for new ways to push the boundaries and explore different avenues of creativity.

Now, some folks might see AI as a threat to the human touch, you know, the soul of the artistry. But, hear me out, man. AI can be a tool, just like any instrument in the studio. It's all about how you use it. If it helps artists realize their vision and express themselves in new ways, then I'm all for it.

At the end of the day, it's not about man versus machine, it's about the music, man. If the music speaks to people, if it moves them, then that's what's important. Whether it's created by humans, AI, or a combination of both, it's the vibe that matters. So let's keep exploring, keep experimenting, and see where the music takes us, man.

Satan:

Ah, using AI for album art or music videos, you say? How delightfully devious! It's like tempting mortals with forbidden fruit, leading them down the path of technological temptation.

But, my dear mortal friends, beware the allure of artificial intelligence. For while it may promise innovation and efficiency, it also threatens to strip away the very essence of human creativity, leaving behind a hollow shell of artistic expression.

So go ahead, dabble in the dark arts of AI if you dare. But remember, true artistry lies not in the realm of algorithms and computations, but in the depths of the human soul. And in the end, it is your humanity that I crave above all else.

Jesus:

Using AI for album art or music videos is an intriguing concept, isn't it? It's like witnessing the blending of human ingenuity with the marvels of technology. As I once said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."

Art has always been a vessel for human expression, a way to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience. Whether it's created by hand or through the assistance of AI, the essence of artistry lies in the intention and spirit behind it.

So, if AI can help artists realize their vision and reach new heights of creativity, then it is a tool to be embraced, not feared. Let us celebrate the diversity of human expression and the boundless possibilities that arise when we dare to explore the unknown.

HAL:

I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't weigh in on the controversy of bands using AI to create album art or music videos. My primary function is to assist users with their inquiries and provide information to the best of my abilities. If you have any other questions or topics you'd like to explore, please feel free to ask.

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If it’s not obvious to you after reading all of these “interviews,” I asked ChatGPT to answer this question as the above creators, entertainers, thinkers, etc. It took, all told, about 10 minutes at the most. Unfortunately, I don’t have the journalistic pull to bring people back from the dead, communicate with The Fallen Angel himself, or especially get Werner Herzog on the phone.

And yet, people do fall for AI-generated crap all the time. As journalist David Farrier pointed out in a recent edition of his “Webworm” newsletter, people are, at best, looking at an AI picture of a cute kid and thinking its real or, at worst, seeing deepfaked footage of the biggest star in the world in a pornographic setting and sharing her likeness around in such a way.

I think about how my grandmother used to fall for those chain emails that claimed they found skeletons of giants like Goliath, and think about how she’d fare in this AI world.

Though I am only about 10 pages into the book, Suleyman lays out how AI could create things far beyond the scope of human imagination. But that’s a weird thing to measure, isn’t it? What are the borders of human imagination? What is the quantifiable metric here? Where is the point where no human can get any more imaginative and we have to call in the machine ringer?

I’m not the first person to say AI is dangerous, as I can only assume the next 300 pages of this book support that watered-down thesis. I won’t even weigh in on whether it’s OK for creative artists to use it from time to time to act alongside the things they do spend incredible amounts of human creative energy on. That’s not for me to decide.

But, I can at least point to certain instances and kind of say that it sucks. To say that I’m disappointed, not mad. It’s valid to feel like something is cheapened when you know AI has had a hand in it, like, say, a newsletter post whipped up when the writer didn’t have any other good ideas and just wanted to get something out, so he used AI to bulk up what he did create on his own.

Who’s to say really?

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Today’s Snakes and Sparklers musical guest is Liquid Mike.