Former Take That singer Robbie Williams has found himself under the spotlight since revealing that he uses AI. His admission has, unsurprisingly, sparked a strong debate about the ethics of using AI as an artist … especially for those who are singer-songwriters, like Robbie.
The British singer is facing backlash after admitting he uses AI
To recap, in an interview with CNBC earlier this month, Robbie confessed to using AI, particularly on social media. “I write the thing first, and then I throw the thing into AI,” he said. “I’ve thrown so much stuff at it now. It knows. It knows me back to front.”
After the singer’s admission, plenty of people took to social media to share their thoughts on the topic of AI in the arts. “And I’m out on Robbie Williams #quitAI,” said @Independent_IA1 on X, while @sapnamadan queried: “Who doesn’t use AI?”
Now, a music industry source has waded into the conversation. “When an artist of Rob’s stature openly admits to using AI, it inevitably raises questions about where the line sits between personal voice and machine-assisted polish,” the insider told Radar Online.
“For many fans, the expectation is that what they read comes directly from the artist on all platforms,” they went on. “So even minor technological assistance can feel like a shift in authenticity.”
But perhaps Robbie’s decision to use AI can be explained. Earlier this year, he opened up about the immense anxiety he deals with as an artist. In a chat with Virgin Radio, he described his career as a “tightrope walk.”
“I could cause an international incident at any moment, I could end my career at any moment!” he said. “And that is the anxiety that I am walking with and talking with at all times.”
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