Kelly Clarkson just broke one of the internet’s cardinal rules: NEVER say you support AI.
At this point, debating the pros and cons of artificial intelligence feels like it belongs right alongside politics, religion, and money on the list of topics you’re better off avoiding in public. With all the negative connotations surrounding AI, and the very real fears about the consequences of how it could be used and its environmental harms, a lot of people have completely written off the technology (along with anyone who shows even the slightest bit of support for it).
This includes the “Since You Been Gone” singer, who’s currently stirring up the internet after appearing on Las Culturistas podcast yesterday. While sitting down with hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the American Idol season one winner and reigning coach on The Voice shared her undoubtedly controversial viewpoints on the topic.
And before she even got the words out, Clarkson seemed well aware of just how much backlash her statement could stir up. Still, she boldly proclaimed, “I love AI.” Backing up her argument, she continued, “There are very amazing things with AI that I am obsessed with, and I’m very into it artistically too.”
Clarkson noted that she “has fun with it just like everybody else does,” but there is a caveat— she takes issue with AI artists competing on a chart with human artists. Drawing a firm line when it comes to her own livelihood, she argued that AI “musicians” should have to compete on entirely separate charts:
I think it’s welcome to the table, I think it’s really cool and creative what we’re gonna create with AI and musically and people that maybe can’t do certain things will be able to do it now. I think it’s a fun field to play in, but I dont think that they should be competing with humans.
She continued to use the analogy of robots competing against humans in the Olympics; it’s two vastly different ballparks. While I do disagree with her to some extent, because I don’t believe a fully AI-generated song could ever replicate the authenticity of a real artist, I absolutely stand behind the idea that computer-generated music should not be competing on the same charts as human-made work.
In fact, it’ll never fail to amaze me that enough people are even listening to AI-generated music for some of these songs to actually chart in the first place. But I digress. As Clarkson pointed out, there’s also no denying some of the technology’s benefits, such as country legend Randy Travis being able to use AI-assisted technology to help bring his voice back to new music.
As Kelly goes on to point out, “It’s not going anywhere,” so there’s really only one option to regulate and grow with it. She clarifies, “We can’t lose human. You can’t lose what that is like.”
Nonetheless, Clarkson’s comments have sparked a massive amount of discourse online, with people on both ends of the spectrum weighing in on her now-viral stance. Those firmly against AI, however, are reacting as if Clarkson has officially been handed over to the robot realm:
On the flip side, there’s still a few who supported Kelly’s statement or at least took an understanding viewpoint:
My optimistic outlook is that society will eventually become smart enough to separate AI-generated slop from music made by actual humans, putting this entire exhausting debate to rest. Maybe one day, we’ll look back on all of this as some bizarre fad we somehow entertained.
Unfortunately, I know that probably won’t be the case. As AI continues to grow, the industry is likely going to have to address its presence head-on at some point with some companies already using clear labeling, proper disclosures and, if it really gets that far, entirely separate charts.
So, do I think Clarkson made the smartest move by publicly advocating for AI in this context? Not necessarily. But I can at least understand where she was coming from.